Hold off until late March to plant rosebush
Spend time selecting one of the many varieties available
Q: My wife wanted a rosebush for Valentine’s Day. I’m having a hard time finding one now. What’s up? — B.I., Albuquerque
A: I’m pretty confident that the only rosebushes you’ll find in town this time of year are going to be the pre-packaged (plastic sleeved) roses called “bareroot roses.” They’ll be in any of the big box stores soon, if not already. You’ll find lots of plastic tubed shaped packages that usually have several stalks protruding from the top, you know what I mean.
Well, from everything I’ve learned it’s really far too early yet in the growing season to plant a bush as fickle as a rose. That is unless you are going to dedicate yourself to the responsibility of coveringuncovering — every night — the newly planted rose. I mean it, you’d be married to the new rose for weeks to come.
If it’s an up-and-started rose, planted and woken up that you find at a true nursery, then you still have weeks to wait until they are available. I don’t know of a nursery worth its salt that’ll release the new crop of potted roses until — at the earliest — late March.
Around here it’s always been an “event” when they open the “rose houses.” It’s a lot of work taking a bare-root rose, planting it, tending it and bringing it to a state of growth that will have better odds of surviving, so they (the nurseries) usually bide their time, giving your choices a far better chance of maturing, then be ready and stronger when the weather is far more cooperative.
But don’t despair! Here’s what you do for your Valentine in the meanwhile. Get thee to a nursery and purchase a gift certificate that’ll cover the price of a new crop potted rosebush. While you’re there see if there is a “rose list” available so your Valentine can pre-select the variety of rose that’ll tickle her fancy.
There are so many choices when it comes to roses. Color, petal count, scent strength and size of mature bush that it boggles the mind. Sometimes you’re able to “tag” the rose you want, pre-event, but then you’re taking a chance that some unscrupulous individual might, when no one’s looking, sneak away with your treasure! I’ve been there and really advise against getting your heart set on specific bushes early. Stuff happens.
So, having gotten the certificate and waiting until the time is right, you’ll both be ready to find the perfect rose, so your Valentine knows you are thinking of her now and having the best intentions, plan to give the gift of life. See? In the true scheme of things, you’ve done good. Happy belated Valentine’s Day!
Speaking of roses! Last week I discussed pruning, offering suggestions on the can’s and shouldn’t do’s of pruning this time of year. Well, “Jason” reminded me so nicely that I neglected cautioning anyone about roses. Thanks for that.
So, no! It’s far to early in the season to prune roses. Wait please. As an annual chore, the pruning of roses in this clime should not be done before the end of March. Put down the pruners and walk away from the rosebushes.
Roses are sturdy for sure, but they are “hormonal,” too. What I mean by that is when they get pruned, they are triggered to flush out gobs of new growth. They get busy really quickly. Well, we are weeks and weeks away from anything resembling true spring and if your freshly pruned rose is busily throwing out lots of new growth, you can bet it’ll be bitten by yet to come frosty weather. Be patient and wait to prune your roses, OK? Happy Diggin’ In!