Roses are one of the most common flowers grown in home greenhouses. There are so many types of roses that it can be hard to choose which ones to plant. When choosing roses for a greenhouse, you should think about the type of rose, its size, scent, and how it should be grown. By picking a variety of roses, you can make a beautiful, fragrant display that lasts all year.
Selecting Rose Types
There are several main categories of rose bushes that are commonly grown in greenhouses:
Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid teas are the classic rose with large, shapely blooms on long straight stems. They are ideal for cutting and arranging. Popular hybrid tea varieties include ‘Mister Lincoln’, ‘Double Delight’, and ‘Veterans Honor’.
Floribunda Roses
Floribundas produce dense clusters of smaller flowers on short stems. They bloom repeatedly over the season. Good floribunda choices include ‘Iceberg’, ‘Rainbow’s End’, and ‘Sexy Rexy’.
Grandiflora Roses
Grandifloras have big blooms that look like hybrid tea leaves, but there are more of them on each stem. “Gold Medal,” “Queen Elizabeth,” and “Ch-Ching” are all grandiflora rose bushes that people say are great.
Climbing and Rambler Roses
These roses produce long flexible canes that can be trained up supports Climbers generally have large flowers while ramblers have smaller flowers in large sprays. Try ‘Don Juan’, ‘New Dawn’, and ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’.
Miniature Roses
Miniature roses are dwarf bushes with tiny blooms. They are ideal for container growing. Some top miniature rose picks are ‘Cupcake’, ‘Rainbow’s End’, and ‘Magic Carrousel’.
Shrub and Landscape Roses
These tough, low maintenance roses work well in mixed borders. Choose tough roses like Knock Out®, Drift®, and Oso Easy®.
Consider Rose Size
Pay attention to the mature size of each rose variety. Miniatures and patio roses reach 1-3 feet tall and wide. Floribundas, grandifloras, hybrid teas, and shrub roses range from 3-6 feet tall and wide. Climbers and ramblers can grow 10 feet or more. Choose roses that will fit the space you have available in your greenhouse.
Select Fragrant Varieties
One of the joys of growing roses is their perfume. Be sure to include fragrant varieties like hybrid teas ‘Mister Lincoln’ and ‘Double Delight’, floribundas ‘Violet’s Pride’ and ‘Iceberg’, and climbers like ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’ and ‘New Dawn’.
Consider Growing Requirements
While all roses need full sun and well-draining soil, some varieties have particular requirements. For example, Old Garden Roses, many shrub roses, and hardy climbers are tough, low maintenance plants. On the other hand, hybrid tea roses, floribundas, and grandifloras perform best with more pampering. Provide them enriched soil, consistent moisture, and diligent disease prevention. Also check if the rose is grafted or own-root, as own-root roses adapt better to greenhouse conditions.
Choose a Diverse Mix
Planting a variety of rose types ensures you’ll have flowers blooming spring through fall. Aim for a mix of early, mid, and late season bloomers. Combine repeat bloomers like floribundas and shrub roses with just once-blooming types like hybrid teas and grandifloras. You can highlight different rose colors like red, pink, white, yellow, orange, lavender, and mixes. Having this diversity creates visual interest and provides cut flowers for arrangements.
Tips for Growing Roses in a Greenhouse
Follow these tips to help your rose bushes thrive:
-
Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Roses need full sun.
-
Use well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Roses like nutrient-rich, slightly acidic soil.
-
Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry. Established roses need about 1-2 inches of water per week.
-
Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Roses are heavy feeders.
-
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Remove dead, damaged and crossing branches.
-
Monitor for common rose diseases like powdery mildew, black spot, and rust. Treat and prevent diseases through proper sanitation, watering, and air circulation.
-
Watch for pests like aphids, thrips, and mites. Control with horticultural soaps and oils. attract beneficial insects.
-
In autumn, prepare tender varieties for winter by stopping fertilizer, pruning, and mulching.
Ideal Greenhouse Set-Up for Roses
To help your roses thrive, optimize the greenhouse conditions:
-
Temperature – Maintain around 60-75°F during the day and 45-55°F at night. Avoid letting it dip below freezing in winter. Provide heating and ventilation as needed.
-
Light – Roses need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Position them in the sunniest part of the greenhouse.
-
Air Circulation – Use fans to keep air moving. This reduces disease and provides vital air exchange. Proper ventilation prevents overly humid conditions.
-
Water – Roses prefer consistent moisture. Group plants with similar watering needs. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target the soil.
-
Soil – Provide raised beds or containers with well-draining potting mix. Incorporate organic compost for nutrients.
-
Support – Install tall trellises, obelisks, and fencing for climbing types. Use shorter supports for bushy plants if needed.
Enjoying a Bountiful Rose Harvest
One of the great benefits of growing roses in a greenhouse is the ability to cut fresh blossoms any time of year. Follow best cutting practices to maximize the vase life of your roses:
-
Cut blooms in the morning when temperatures are coolest.
-
Cut just above an outward facing leaflet, at a 45° angle.
-
Remove foliage below the waterline which can rot.
-
Immediately put the stems in clean water. Recut 1⁄2 inch off the stems and change the water every few days.
-
Display roses out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like appliances.
-
For the longest vase life, use commercial flower food and floral preservatives.
With the right selection and care of roses, a greenhouse provides ideal conditions for growing robust rose bushes. You’ll be rewarded with armloads of beautiful blooms to display indoors. Which rose varieties will you choose for your greenhouse collection?
Planting rose bushes in the traditional way
In the traditional way, you must follow these steps:
- Pick the rose bush. It should be the type you like best and that does well in your greenhouse.
- Prepare the soil. It needs to drain well and have a good base for nutrients.
- Dig the hole. It needs to be the right size so that the roots can grow out without being twisted.
- Put the rose bush in the hole so that the graft union is above ground level.
- Fill the hole: Place soil around the hole and gently press it shut.
- Watering: Remember that they need plenty of water.
Type of rose bushes for planting in a garden greenhouse
Before we talk about how to plant rose bushes, let’s talk about the different kinds that will work in your greenhouse. Each has its own special characteristics.
- Shrub roses are more hardy, can be used in many ways, and are best for people who have never planted anything like this before.
- Rose bushes that grow up fences and pergolas in gardens and homes are called climbing roses.
- Small rose bushes, as their name suggests, have tiny flowers and are grown to decorate pots.
Growing Roses, A Complete Beginner’s Guide
0