Roses that do beautifully in pots

Sunset, Jan, 1992 by Michael MacCaskey

Garden roses today form a diverse lot: small to large, fragrant or unscented, problem-prone or carefree. Among them are an increasing number especially suited to growing in containers; of the 50 roses introduced for 1992, most have small leaves, flowers, and stature. In bloom, the roses brighten decks, patios, and entries; once bloom is past, they can be easily moved away from center stage. Here are eight shrub or standard roses--old and new--that adapt well to pots, with tips for growing them successfully.

EIGHT ROSES FOR POTS

These have smallish leaves and flowers and a compact habit. Except for 'Bonica', all come in standards (18 inches tall unless otherwise noted) and in bush form.

'Bonica': pink shrub, easy and flowerful, lightly scented. 'Cupcake': one of the best pink miniatures. 'Gourmet Popcorn': white, shrubby miniature with cascading habit, blooms constantly; 18- and 24-inch standards. 'Heartbreaker': cream and pink miniature with rounded habit and dark, glossy leaves. 'Little Artist': fragrant red and yellow miniature with glossy leaves. 'Magic Carrousel': white miniature with red edges. 'Sweet Chariot': fragrant purple miniature with slightly cascading habit. 'The Fairy': pink shrub with rounded habit; 24 inches tall.

PLANTING AND CARE

Use 24-inch pots for shrubs and floribundas, 18-inch pots for miniature trees.

For bare-root roses, fill container halfway with packaged soil mix. Make a firm mound of soil and set rose on top so the bud onion (or brown area above roots on non-budded miniatures) is just below pot rim; use a stick as a guide. Spread roots over mound; trim to fit. Add soil to within 1 1/2 to 2 inches of pot rim. Tamp to firm, and water thoroughly. For roses in nursery cans, partially fill pot with soil, gently knock rose from can, and center it in pot. Finish as for bare-root roses.

Around the base of small tree roses, you can plant low, small-flowered annuals such as sweet alyssum or lobelia that will tumble over pot edges and add a second tier of color. At planting time, scatter seeds over soil and lightly mix them in (or evenly space small seedlings around inside edge).

Water when the soil is dry about an inch below the surface; thoroughly wet the rootball. If the water drains out the bottom without soaking the soil, add a small amount of wetting agent to the water.

Feed roses with a dilute liquid fertilizer at each watering or apply a controlled-release fertilizer three or four times a season.

Refresh soil each winter when rose is dormant. Tap rootball out of the pot, rub soil away, and trim long or coiled roots. Prune out dead or crossing branches. Repot using fresh potting soil.