How to Grow an American Pillar Rose

Establish a bed suited to growing American Pillar roses. Choose a sunny bed or a bed with dappled shade. Avoid deeply shaded areas since the lack of light and restricted air flow will cause the rose problems in the long run.

Install a sturdy trellis, pergola or rail-type fence in the bed. Make sure it is well anchored to the ground and that it is strong enough to support a heavy load since mature American Pillar roses are very large and hefty.

Work the soil to a depth of 12 inches along the base of the support structure using a cultivating fork. Break up any large clumps and remove all debris, rocks and sticks. Amend the soil with a 6-inch-thick layer of acidic compost to improve the quality of the soil, if desired.

Dig a planting hole measuring two times the size of the American Pillar rose's original nursery planter. Sprinkle a small amount of 4-8-4 ratio fertilizer into the bottom of the hole. Cover the fertilizer with an inch or two of soil.

Plant the American Pillar rose so the base of its canes are on the same level as the surrounding soil. Backfill around the rootball with garden soil until the hole is filled and the rose is sturdy and upright. Drape the canes onto the support structure. Tie them loosely to the structure, if desired.

Water the American Pillar rose to a depth of 1 inch every five to seven days. Run the water onto the soil at the base of the canes; do not spray the water so that it lands on the foliage. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out most of the way before watering again.

Feed the American Pillar rose with 4-8-4 ratio fertilizer twice a month from late March until late August. Sprinkler the feed onto the soil 6 inches from the base of the canes and work it into the soil with a cultivating fork. Run water onto the soil for five to 10 minutes after feeding to work the nutrients deep into the soil.

Prune back American Pillar roses in the spring after the last frost. Cut back the canes to 24 inches. Remove any crossed or tangled canes completely to improve air flow among the branches, which will help ward off diseases such as powdery mildew.