Growing roses can be difficult; in fact, a truly "easy" rose
doesn't really exist outside our imaginations. But some are
easier to grow than others, and a few rose-growing tips will
help ensure success. - Choose varieties proven in your climate.
When in doubt, AARS winners are good bets. - Plant roses where
they will receive a minimum of five to six hours of full sun per
day. They would like even more. - Diligently water your roses.
Soak the entire root zone at least twice a week in dry summer
weather. Avoid frequent shallow sprinklings, which won't reach
the deeper roots and may encourage fungus. - Feed roses; they
have big appetites. Once a month between April and July, apply a
balanced granular fertilizer (5-10-5 or 5-10-10). Allow three-
quarters to one cup for each bush, and sprinkle it around the
drip line, not against the stem. In May and June, add an
additional tablespoon of Epsom salts; the magnesium sulfate will
encourage new growth. - Roses prefer a near-neutral soil pH,
somewhere between 6.5 and 7—