Can Roses Live in the Desert?

Rose Types

• According to the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Reno, you can only plant the two types of roses, container and bare-root, at certain times of the year. Plant container roses anytime except during the heat of summer and plant bare-root roses between December and February. The Extension also recommends that gardeners select only Grade No. 1 roses, which come with at least three canes, each 14 to 18 inches long. In addition, Arizona landscape architect Linda Strader recommends darker-colored roses and Floribunda roses, which perform better than tea roses.

Sunlight

• Roses need at least six hours of sunlight per day. This may seem like a cinch in the desert, but desert sun is, of course, much stronger than sun anywhere else so rose placement in the garden is very important. Roses grown in the desert should get lots of morning sun and be shaded from afternoon sun during the hottest part of the day. Generally, the east side of a building should provide the protection roses need in the desert while also ensuring that they get all the sunlight they need.

Water

• Roses are not native to the desert, which means they require more water than plants that are native to the arid climate. Roses will not make a suitable addition to a xeriscape garden. According to Strader, you will have to water them deeply three times per week in summer, two to three times per week in fall and once a week in the winter to a depth of 3 feet. That can add up to quite a bit of water so make sure you mulch the plants well to ensure that as much moisture as possible stays around the roots. Drip irrigation or at least irrigating directly at the roots is recommended for roses, as water on the foliage is the cause of lots of rose diseases and problems. The University of Nevada Extension recommends a 3-inch layer of mulch applied in February and reapplied in June.

Fertilizer

• Fertilizer is very important for desert roses because the soil quality in the desert is often very poor with little nutrient value. Before planting roses, it's best to consult with an agent at your local county extension office to discuss the soil quality in your area and which supplemental nutrients you're likely to have to supply. A soil test, of course, will also provide you with the same information. You may need to fertilize roses in the desert each month from February through June and at half strength from June through August.