| Rose gardens are probably the most popular type of | | | | against the rose's stems. |
| garden in the world, ranging from Marie Antoinette's | | | | 4. Mulch also helps keep your roses from getting too |
| famous gardens before the French revolution to a | | | | dry. Mulch retains water, so your roses need to be |
| few shrubs tucked in a tiny backyard. With their | | | | watered less frequently during the summer months. |
| wonderful scents and lovely blossoms, it is no | | | | 5. Trim out dead wood. Rose canes that are brown |
| wonder these surprisingly sturdy plants are so | | | | and dead may even be harboring insect pests, so |
| popular. After all, no other flowers are used as | | | | remove them immediately. Always make a clean cut |
| frequently as roses to symbolize love and friendship. | | | | instead of crushing the canes as you remove them. |
| If you'd like to grow beautiful roses in your yard, try | | | | 6. Prune out canes that cross over other canes. |
| a few of these simple rose gardening tips. | | | | Those sharp thorns damage the rose's outer skin as |
| 1. Roses need to eat regularly, just like any other | | | | easily as they snag your hands. Always prune a cane |
| living thing. Start feeding your roses before you even | | | | above a bud that faces away from the inside of the |
| place them in the planting hole by adding a scoop of | | | | plant. This bud will react to the pruning by sending |
| compost. | | | | out a new shoot. |
| 2. Use specially formulated rose food to help your | | | | 7. If your roses are infested by aphids, spray them |
| roses really bloom. If you prefer organic methods, | | | | with insecticidal soap. |
| give your roses each a small scoop of Epsom salts, a | | | | 8. Always remove pruned canes and spotty leaves |
| banana peel, and some rotted compost. They will | | | | from the ground. If you don't, any fungus on them |
| absolutely love these homegrown garden remedies. | | | | will re-infect your roses when there is a heavy rainfall. |
| 3. Roses need to breathe. Be sure you don't allow | | | | Finally, the most important rose gardening tip may |
| other plants to get to close to your roses. Keep | | | | just be to wear long sleeves and thick gloves when |
| weeds away from the base of your roses with a 2 | | | | you are working with your roses. A rose thorn can |
| to 4 inch layer of rotted compost or chip mulch, but | | | | really hurt, especially if it becomes deeply embedded |
| be sure you don't place these weed barriers right | | | | in your hand. |