9 Tips for Florist-Worthy Garden Roses

When it comes to cut flower gardening, roses are not the easiest, but they are one of the most desirable. As the most popular flower in floristry, the rose is about as famous as a flower can be. Growing roses that rival those from the florist can be quite a challenge. But if you’re up to the challenge, I have confidence that you can make it happen.

Several factors make a rose ideal for use in floral arrangements. One of the most important factors is vase life. One of the best things about these flowers is how long they last after cutting them. Healthy roses can last as long as two weeks if you care for them properly.

The structure of the plant is also important. The best varieties for the job are those with long, straight stems and large, shapely blooms. The flowers should have a high petal count and an attractive shape that opens slowly. To hold up those large, full flowers, they require stems that are both supportive and sturdy without bending or snapping. 

There are a few other characteristics that make a rose particularly good for cutting. You want a plant with good disease resistance, as they will be the most reliable. Good color retention and a repeat blooming habit are also important. Fragrance is a matter of personal taste. Personally, I prefer a moderately fragrant rose. 

Although growing them can be challenging, it’s not impossible, nor is it particularly difficult. It simply requires attention to detail and knowledge of their ideal growing conditions. Here are some tips for growing roses that rival any you can buy from a florist. 

Choose the Right Roses

My first tip is to choose wisely. If you want to grow florist-quality roses, it’s important to start off with the right variety. Most florists will tell you that the ideal cutting roses are hybrid tea roses. They certainly are the most common and popular for this purpose.

Hybrid teas are classic, long-stemmed flowers with large, high-centered blooms. They are perfect for cutting and usually have a lovely fragrance. Unfortunately, they are one of the more challenging types to grow. They tend to have poor disease resistance. 

Floribundas are also excellent for cutting. While their stems are somewhat shorter, they are prolific bloomers. They have a long vase life and are usually densely petaled. These are impressive and relatively easy to grow. They have good disease resistance, making them lower-maintenance than hybrid teas. 

David Austin English roses are renowned for their spectacular beauty and are highly coveted by florists around the world. They are famous for their large, fragrant blooms and are less demanding than some other types. They have old garden rose charm, and many have excellent disease resistance. 

Plant in Full Sun

If you want abundant, florist-quality blooms, it’s important to plant your roses in full sun. Sunlight fuels photosynthesis, which in turn spurs on bud production. It also helps to prevent fungal diseases, which are common in rose plants. Abundant sun exposure will encourage long, strong, and vigorous stems to support those big, beautiful blooms. 

Some roses will tolerate partial shade, but truly, they will produce more and stronger flowers in full sun. Plant your roses in a location that receives at least six, but ideally eight hours, of daily sunlight. The more the better!

Prepare the Soil

Roses are heavy feeders, and to perform well, they require adequate nutrition from the start. Before you plant your rose, it’s a good idea to prepare your soil to support vigorous growth, right from the start. 

Roses like a slightly acidic pH. This helps to break down certain essential nutrients into a form that is more readily available to them. They hate wet feet, but they like a considerable amount of moisture. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that you have excellent drainage and soil that also retains moisture well. 

Even if you have great, loamy soil, there is no harm in bolstering the nutrient composition a bit for your rose bush. Work some organic compost, leaf mold, or manure into the top 12″-18″ of the soil. Also, mix in a handful of balanced, slow-release fertilizer. 

Feed Your Roses

If you want your roses to be florist quality, it’s important to feed them consistently. Fertilize in early spring, just as new growth begins to appear, with a balanced granular fertilizer. This supports strong, new growth and healthy bud development. 

Throughout the growing season, and until about midsummer, you should fertilize regularly. The exact amount and frequency depend on the type of fertilizer you choose. You can choose a slow-release formula and apply only twice per year. This is the lowest maintenance option. 

If you prefer to use granular fertilizers, apply them every four to six weeks from spring to summer. If you choose a liquid fertilizer, apply it every two to three weeks during this period. 

Whichever you choose, make sure to stop fertilizing about six to eight weeks before your first anticipated frost date. Always water before and after feeding to reduce stress. 

Water Deeply

Water is essential to making your roses bloom well. Roses are moisture-loving plants, and if they become dehydrated, the flowers will be the first thing to suffer. Without enough moisture, they may drop buds prematurely or produce smaller or fewer flowers.

Consistent, deep watering is best for supporting healthy growth, strong bud formation, and long-lasting flowers. Deep watering is the key to healthy, florist-quality roses. You’re better off watering deeply, less often, than watering frequently. 

Roses need about one to two inches of rain weekly throughout the growing season. They may need even more during hot spells or times of drought. You should always water early in the day to avoid fungal diseases. Soak the ground to a depth of about six to eight inches to encourage deep, strong roots. 

Prune Properly

Proper pruning is integral to encouraging more flowers and a strong, healthy, shapely plant. Pruning stimulates new growth and improves air circulation, which reduces the risk of disease. It also shapes the plant to grow stronger stems, which produce better blooms. 

For once-blooming roses, prune in late winter, just as leaf buds begin to swell. Hard pruning is appropriate for roses, as it encourages vigorous growth and larger flowers. Deadheading any spent flowers that you don’t cut will help the plant focus energy elsewhere. 

For repeat bloomers, a late winter pruning is a good way to start the season. They are the same as once bloomers in this respect. However, if you want your repeat bloomers to bloom again, they require more attention. 

For repeat bloomers, you’ll want to prune after each flush; otherwise, it will form hips and not many additional flowers. Cut all stems just above a five-leaflet leaf, preferably one that faces outward. This creates the most pleasing shape. 

Control Pests and Diseases

Roses are popular with garden pests, and they are prone to a handful of diseases as well. Choosing a variety that is resistant to diseases is a great place to start. However, even with disease-resistant roses, it’s important to be vigilant if you want florist-quality flowers. 

Good plant hygiene and watering habits are the best defense against most diseases. Water at the ground level, and only water early in the day, to prevent water from sitting on the leaves overnight. This can quickly invite fungus. 

Keep your rose plants in good shape with proper pruning and maintaining an open interior. You want to allow air to circulate through the foliage. 

Keep a close eye on your plants, regularly checking for signs of diseases or insect infestation. A healthy plant will typically recover well from most infestations, but it’s essential to catch them early and treat them effectively. 

Support Your Plants

Not all rose bushes require support, but many do. If you’re looking for florist-quality flowers, you’re likely growing one that could use some support. Tall varieties and those that bloom heavily and produce large, heavy flowers all fall into this category. 

The last thing you want is to be days away from cutting a bouquet of the finest flowers, and have a strong wind break your stems. Use a cage, a sturdy stake, or a peony ring to support your stems. This will protect them against the elements until you’re ready to harvest. 

Harvest at the Right Time

Finally, it’s essential to know the right time for harvesting those beautiful blooms. Florists don’t make their arrangements with fully opened roses, and neither should you. 

If you wait until the blooms open fully, they will be more fragile and harder to work with. They also won’t last nearly as long. You want to extend the vase life and enjoy those flowers for as long as possible. 

Some flowers will stop developing when you cut them from the plant, but not roses. Roses will continue to develop and open after cutting, which is why they have such a long vase life. 

The best time of day to harvest your flowers is early morning. They will be most hydrated and least stressed at this time of day. Late evening is the second-best time to cut them, as this is the second least stressful time of day. 

Cut your flowers just as the outer petals begin to unfurl. You can technically cut them before this, but it will take longer for them to open, and some may not open at all. It’s best to wait until they just barely begin to open. 

Always cut with a clean, sharp tool or scissors. Introducing bacteria is a fast road to a short vase life. Cut stems at a 45° angle, just above a five-leaflet leaf. 

Place your stems in water immediately, and change the water every two to three days. Every time you change the water, give the ends of your stems a light trim to keep them absorbing water.