The question of spring and fall planting of dormant roses is often asked and is among the most controversial.
I have practically ceased to regard rose planting as divided into separate camps – spring versus fall, wherever you may live, reserving the right to recommend the time according to the place.
Rose Varieties
Varieties also play an important part in answering this question. For example, certain roses are less temperamental or susceptible than others to shocks or changes in location, soil conditions, and temperature variations.
Old-fashioned shrub roses, hybrid perpetual, hardy climbing, and pillar roses may be planted fairly safely in spring or fall throughout the country.
Tree roses, hybrid tea, and floribunda roses, however, due to their characteristics, are the most popular and most universally grown, and these require the greatest amount of consideration and care.
Understocks Used
Understock, too, is a factor. More and more, we realize that disease-susceptibility and ruggedness or delicacy of the constitution in roses are directly traceable, to a large degree, to the ancestry.
In breeding and growing roses, hybridists are constantly crossing varieties with this in mind.
Some of the understocks used are the following:
- Rosa multiflora japonica
- Gagged Robin (Gloire des Rosomanes)
- Shafter (a special strain of Dr. Huey)
Hardiness And Zones
Research has also shown that hybrids of Rosa bracteata seem to be most disease resistant, but they are still of questionable hardiness in the North.
In the interest of determining the right answer applicable to the greatest number of rose growers, many tests are being made by various sources.
Among those with which I am familiar because of my affiliation with and volunteer effort in them are the American Rose Society and the Men’s Garden Clubs of America.
The Men’s Garden Chibs has a rose test program based on the United States Department of Agriculture’s hardiness zone plan.
Rosarians are appointed to receive test plants from cooperating nurseries, and the time of planting the roses is geared to where they will be planted.
In looking over the facts, it is extremely interesting to note that the zones are comprised of states in different sections of the country and that parts of a state will be in one hardiness zone while another part of the same state will be in another.
For instance, in Zone 3, we have portions of the following:
- New York
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Massachusetts
- Colorado
Zone 4 has portions of the following:
- New York
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Indiana
Zones 3 and 4 are the so-called “cold” zones, and the rosarians have chosen a planting period from the middle of March to the middle of May.
Zone 5 includes portions of:
- Michigan
- Ohio
Roses Planting Dates
The planting dates in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Missouri are from March 15 to April 15.
Zone 6 includes portions of:
- New York
- Tennessee
- Washington
These zones with planting dates from January through April.
Others are Zone 7:
- North Carolina
- Texas and Arkansas
- Tennessee, from January through March
Zone 8:
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Texas
- South Carolina and Mississippi
These zones with planting time from December through March.
Zone 9:
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Florida
- Oregon
- and California
Planting time, November through the middle of March.
Potted Roses
Potted roses, purchased from reliable dealers, are gaining popular acceptance, and it is to these roses that we look for “unseasonal” plantings.
In zones 3, 4, and 5, they may be planted in late May or throughout June with perfect safety and in like manner in other parts of the country. Roses for general distribution should do well in any zone.
The American Rose Society publishes a list that gives national ratings. These ratings are based on a cross-country average. There are old and new varieties among them. Municipal and privately owned rose gardens are more than places of beauty.
They are also functional, for they tell the story of what will grow well there. Visit your local municipal and private rose gardens for proof of what can be grown in your area.
And remember, there is no rule that is not without exception! So, in growing roses, experiment a bit on your own. You may pave the way for.
A brand new idea or practice if you dare to experiment and run the chance of losing some of your replaceable plants.
But, if you play safe, I suggest you follow the beaten path and plant according to the experience of those who have the same or similar atmospheric conditions, soils, and temperatures.
44659 by C. Eugene Pfeister