In her weekly newsletter, Growing Wonder with Felicia Alvarez: Simple Tips for Thriving Roses, Gardens & Homes, Felicia offers expert advice to help you cultivate stunning roses, vibrant gardens, and welcoming homes. Each edition features a subscriber-submitted question, where Felicia provides thoughtful answers to your rose, garden, and home-related queries. This Q&A was originally featured as a highlighted question from one of our subscribers, published in the newsletter.
QUESTION FOR FELICIA
Q: "Planting hundreds of roses in the PN for production. Concerned about rain damage and likely my craziness in trying, but that’s another story :) If cutting extensively for production, do you reduce recommended spacing by half? Planning on 4 ft wide rows, 2 rows of roses every 2 ft (generally, unless specifically a much smaller or larger rose) staggered planting and likely t - posts corralling on sides. Looks prepped as attached (put in treated posts for climbing roses and will use wire from post to post for climbing). Posts on left are previously planted clematis, posts on right prepped for roses. Also debating planting short sage underfoot/diversity versus weedcloth (for extra heat and less water splashing). Thanks!"
Submitted by: Courtney from Port Orchard, WA - Zone 8b
A: Hi Courtney! Your plan sounds ambitious but well thought out, especially for production purposes. You want to make sure you are well prepared to maximize, efficiency, production and most of all profit!
In rose production, reducing plant spacing to prioritize flower harvest over aesthetics and airflow is common, with 2-foot spacing in staggered rows within a 4-foot bed being a typical setup. However, this close spacing necessitates rigorous pruning/harvesting to maintain airflow and minimize disease pressure, along with regular fungicide or organic sprays to manage issues like black spot or mildew in wet conditions. I would avoid using t-posts to corral roses unless they are climbers needing support; with proper harvesting and pruning, corralling shouldn't be necessary and will just get in your way. Roses differ significantly from crops like dahlias or sweet peas in this regard.
Weed cloth and companion planting each bring unique advantages and challenges to rose gardening. Weed cloth can moderately suppress weeds, retain soil warmth, and reduce water splashing, which may help lower the risk of fungal diseases. However, it also poses drawbacks, such as restricting water infiltration, making it challenging to perform repairs to irrigation lines, limiting biodiversity, and complicating the application of fertilizers and compost. Additionally, in warmer climates, weed cloth can overheat the soil and foliage, creating unfavorable conditions for roses.
Many growers find that weeds often grow through or around the holes in the cloth, ultimately rendering it ineffective. Based on my experience, I don't recommend using weed cloth for roses. Since roses are perennials, you won't be lifting the cloth annually to maintain the soil or perform weed control. This restricts your ability to enrich the soil with compost or fertilizers, which are essential for thriving roses. In regions like Zone 8b, where additional soil warmth isn't necessary, weed cloth can cause the soil to become too hot, hindering the plants' growth. Most clients I've worked with end up frustrated with weed cloth, often removing it after just a season or two.
In rose production, reducing plant spacing to prioritize flower harvest over aesthetics and airflow is common, with 2-foot spacing in staggered rows within a 4-foot bed being a typical setup. However, this close spacing necessitates rigorous pruning/harvesting to maintain airflow and minimize disease pressure, along with regular fungicide or organic sprays to manage issues like black spot or mildew in wet conditions. I would avoid using t-posts to corral roses unless they are climbers needing support; with proper harvesting and pruning, corralling shouldn't be necessary and will just get in your way. Roses differ significantly from crops like dahlias or sweet peas in this regard.
Weed cloth and companion planting each bring unique advantages and challenges to rose gardening. Weed cloth can moderately suppress weeds, retain soil warmth, and reduce water splashing, which may help lower the risk of fungal diseases. However, it also poses drawbacks, such as restricting water infiltration, making it challenging to perform repairs to irrigation lines, limiting biodiversity, and complicating the application of fertilizers and compost. Additionally, in warmer climates, weed cloth can overheat the soil and foliage, creating unfavorable conditions for roses.
Many growers find that weeds often grow through or around the holes in the cloth, ultimately rendering it ineffective. Based on my experience, I don't recommend using weed cloth for roses. Since roses are perennials, you won't be lifting the cloth annually to maintain the soil or perform weed control. This restricts your ability to enrich the soil with compost or fertilizers, which are essential for thriving roses. In regions like Zone 8b, where additional soil warmth isn't necessary, weed cloth can cause the soil to become too hot, hindering the plants' growth. Most clients I've worked with end up frustrated with weed cloth, often removing it after just a season or two.
On the other hand, companion planting with low-growing herbs like sage or thyme offers several benefits. These plants can improve soil health, attract pollinators, and provide mild weed suppression. Their essential oils may even deter pests. However, if not carefully managed, companion plants can compete with roses for water and nutrients. They may also make it harder to control super weeds that grow through or around them.
Both approaches can support healthy rose gardens if used thoughtfully, but in my experience, companion planting is a more effective and sustainable option for long-term rose care. Thoughtful planning and regular maintenance will ensure that your roses thrive without the drawbacks of weed cloth.
Rain can pose challenges for roses, particularly varieties prone to balling, where petals clump together, or botrytis. To minimize damage, prioritize rain-tolerant varieties with loose petal arrangements or strong weather resistance. Enhancing drainage, ensuring good airflow, and adding wood shred compost beneath roses can reduce moisture-related issues like splashing. For added protection during rainy periods, consider installing a canopy or tent structure with high light opacity plastic to shield the blooms. (A canopy would be a better investment for moisture control than weed cloth.) These measures will help maintain healthy, vibrant roses even in wet conditions.
Your climbing rose setup (as seen in the photo above) with treated posts and wire is perfect. For production, keep climbers to about 6-8 ft for easy harvesting and pruning. Train them horizontally to maximize bloom production along the lateral canes.
Experiment with small sections to determine whether sage, weed cloth, or no cloth works best for your roses, keeping in mind that sage thrives in well-drained conditions. If you opt for weed cloth, pair it with a drip irrigation system under the cloth for efficient watering. Stay vigilant for rain damage and be prepared to adapt your disease management strategies as needed. Your thoughtful approach reflects dedication, definitely not overthinking, and will help optimize your rose production. I wish you a wonderful inaugural season with your new rose planting! Happy growing, Felicia
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Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography
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