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New rose bed
primrosecottage
Posts: 817
Hi Guys does anyone have any tips ? I have 10 rose bushes in pots waiting to be planted
I thought I might have a whole bed of just roses. Himself thinks it will be a bit risky cos our soil is not Clayey(new gardeners term) and we could end up with a sad bed 
.he suggests hedging our bets and spreading them around the garden. Is there anything I can add to the soil to make it more compatible? Either way I would like them to survive.
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Hi Primrosecottage!
I assume your roses are all traditional types like hybrid teas or cluster-flowered (the old floribundas), not patio roses, climbers or shrub roses? It's "horses for courses" with the different sorts of roses. Shrub roses look good associated with other shrubs or trees, or in a mixed border, because they don't need severe pruning like the traditional types which you see looking like sticks in the winter. They were grown together in a rose bed for ease of maintenance really - so they could all be pruned, fed, mulched and sprayed together. Patio roses are small and therefore look good at the front of a border - they need less pruning than hybrid teas. And climbers - well, they climb!
Roses do like heavy soil, but as long as you add plenty of organic matter (manure or garden compost) before planting, and keep them watered, they should be fine in most soil types.
I'm guessing the labels on the plants or on their pots should tell you what sort of rose you've got, which might help you decide what to do with them.
as my name suggests i'm obsessed with roses, planted 15 in 2 yyears we've lived her, i add microrhizal funghi to a good big hole and add loads of good manure and compost, mine are all dotted around and planted with geraniums, peonies, aqualegias, astrantias, stocks, phlox, foxgloves and lots of sprong bulbs, all are new so not that established , have had to move a few, all done great after moving (waiting to see one) hoping for more flowers this year, have just fed bfb this week, good luck
Thanks Liri&Rosemummy
they are all traditional Bush type and I have cut them back hard hoping they will settle better when I get them in the garden.
It sounds as if they would look better mixed in with other cottagey plants I don't think I really want a bed full of sticks for the winter. Can I dig in ponies poo to the area ?I remember old gardeners collecting it if a horse went along the roadside
I have a plastic compost bin ready to tip out but where does microrhizal fungi come from?
You can buy micorrhizal fungi from my local garden centre - it's on the stands with the seeds at the moment. And I'm sure you can also get it on line.
Pony poo would be fine if well rotted.
You should be able to get Mycorrhizal Fungi in any good Garden Centre. David Austin Roses sell it on line, along with their lovely roses. http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/Advanced.asp?PageId=2153
Roses love horse and pony poo, but it must be well rotted, black and crumbly, no smell. You can add it to your compost heap.
Mycorrhizal Fungi comes as a fine powder in a packet and you use it when planting, you just make sure it comes in contact with the roots of the plant. It is a natural fungi I believe which occurs under conifer trees, you don't need to use much per plant (a couple of teaspoons)
You can supposedly overcome the risk of rose sickness if you use this when planting a rose where a rose as already been.
you can use it when planting anything not just for roses.
as for just planting a rose bed, I dug mine up and replanted the roses with other things as in the winter it really does look very boring. But each to their own its your garden your decision.
Thanks guys I 'll put a pic on if I succeed with them