rose bushes were left untouched for years - I added pictures

newsunrise · Wed May 21, 2008 5:30 pm

Hi, I have 2 rose bushes in a rock bed and they haven't bin cared for in years. we just got this place and I am uncovering a lot of beds and rock gardens that have bin left to there own. both bushes have just one tall stem? and is starting to bud there is also some new growth about 3 inches tall coming from the base. Should I trim the tall pieces back or wait. I have never cared for roses before and I don't even know what kind they are to start looking for more information. Ummm Help is about all I can say I will go out and get pictures of them to show you all but there really isn't much to see yet....

thanks

newsunrise · Tue May 27, 2008 12:25 pm

the place they are is in horrible shape and I would like to move them in to a dif spot but not sure where or what they need to be moved. I have not touched them at all and keep in mind it is early spring here we just planted our garden.
[img]https://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/sunsunrise/roses002.jpg[/img][/img]

[img]https://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/sunsunrise/roses003.jpg[/img]

any info is appreciated.[/img]

doccat5 · Wed May 28, 2008 5:23 am

Trim the greyish brown stems off, the lighter brown is new growth, so their trying. I would wait until fall to try and move them to another area. Add a banana peel to the ground next to them (just dig it in gently), use either compost tea or a liquid fish emulsion to fertilize them. They probably need the fertilizer. Normally you do that once a month when they are blooming. They don't look wonderful, but they don't look all that bad. They just need a little TLC.

Good luck

newsunrise · Wed May 28, 2008 7:56 am

thanks I will do that! Are roses better off in their own bed? I was thinking of setting up a new bed and was wondering what I could grow with them.

doccat5 · Wed May 28, 2008 9:35 am

Roses do well with a lot of things, including other roses...be warned, it's an addiction.....LOL

You could plant with lavender, peonies, etc. Lots of things go well with roses.

If you decide to put them in their own separate bed, just make sure you work it well and add plenty of organic materials to the bed before you transplant.