In a recent email, a friend mentioned that a visitor to her office had recommended that more people should plant roses. My friend said to me, “If you have springtime tips, I promise to read, learn, and try to digest them.”

Well, of course, I have springtime tips for growing roses, and they aren’t difficult to remember. The problems arise when some of the unpleasant insects and diseases attack them. I told my friend that roses can break your heart, but when you have successes, no other flower can compare.

If you have never grown roses before, your first task is to decide what kind of rose you want to plant. Are you looking for a shrub to be a focal point in your garden? Do you want a climber to soften the harsh appearance of a fence or wall? Are color and fragrance important to you? Are you looking for a small bush to plant in a container? Would you like to try growing Old Garden Roses that bloom only once a season?

Roses are woody flowering perennials that belong to the Rosaceae family. Over 300 species and thousands of cultivars exist. Most species are native to Asia, but others originated in Europe, North America, and North Africa. At least one, multiflora rose, is an exotic invasive pest in the Midwest and Northeast.

The American Rose Society article on rose classifications can help you decide which species and cultivar would work best in your garden. Most gardeners prefer to grow one of the classes of Modern Roses, which includes the Hybrid Teas, of which the large-flowered pink and cream “Peace” is one of the most famous. Grandifloras, which produce clusters of flowers on 6 to 8 foot tall shrubs, also are popular. The luscious, pink “Queen Elizabeth” is a Grandiflora.

Whichever cultivar you chose, purchase it from a reputable dealer and examine all parts of the plant and others located in the same area for evidence of disease or insect infestation.

With so many choices on the market, choosing a cultivar may be the hardest part. The actual needs of roses are simple: at least 6 hours of full sun each day; moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6-6.5; and one to two inches of water per week.

After you select the sunny spot, it is a good idea to send a soil sample to Virginia Tech for analysis. When you are ready to plant, dig a hole at least 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. This seems like a big hole, but the roots need room to spread so they can absorb sufficient water and nutrients from the soil. Discard the soil from the bottom 1/3 of the hole and replace with well-rotted cow or horse manure. Mix 1/3 peat moss with the top 2/3 of the soil and add 1 cup of bone meal. Replace the soil in the hole to one inch below the surface, set the plant in place, and cover with the remaining soil. If you add commercial potting mix, use one that does not contain fertilizer. In fact, do not use granular fertilizer for the first year to avoid burning the delicate roots.

Water the rose two to three times a week until it is well established. Avoid overhead irrigation to help prevent fungal disease like black spot. The best time to water is in the morning so the foliage has time to dry before evening.

Roses, like all plants, may need an extra nutritional boost. Compost is safe and improves the soil, but may not provide sufficient nutrients. During the first year, use only a liquid fertilizer. We have found that fish emulsion applied every three weeks works well.

Roses are like cats. They love pampering and attention. They almost purr when you fuss over them, but like cats, they have wild ancestry. They are tough and most will survive almost any invasion.

Next week: Rose insects and diseases.