Roses – success in pots
How to grow great roses in even the tiniest space
Roses are among the nation’s favourite flowers and, no matter where you garden, you can grow them. Most roses are perfectly happy in pots provided you choose the right one and look after it well – so even if you only have a balcony or tiny patio make room for a rose this year.
Which roses to grow
There are many different types of roses, from sprawling climbers and ramblers, to shrub, hybrid and groundcover types, right down to the tiniest patio varieties. To make sure your rose is healthy and covered in flowers, it’s essential to choose the right type and the right size of pot.
Tiny treasures
The obvious choice of rose for container growing is the patio or miniature types, which have been specifically bred for growing in pots and have shallower roots and compact growth. Minimum pot size: 30cm x 30cm
Mid-size marvels
Groundcover roses and shorter climbing roses, which have been bred for growing on a patio, are bigger than the miniature types, but still compact enough to be happy in a container. Minimum pot size: 45cm x 45cm
Large and lovely
If you want to grow bush, shrub or climbing and rambling roses, you will need a large container, as these are vigorous plants. This is a much bigger investment in terms of pot and compost, but it’s vital if you want your rose to thrive for years to come. Minimum pot size: 60cm x 60cm