I am not a rose expert but I really, really like my mulch to conserve moisture so I do mine. The opinion on fertilizing is as diverse as there is gardeners....some say you don't fertilize roses much the first year so they concentrate on root growth, some say it is good etc etc. I also think it would depend on your soil and what it can provide. I fertilize my roses with a weak solution often. Don't be tricked into buying special fertilizer for roses, then one for tomatoes, etc etc. Studies (I might be able to find links if you really needed) have shown that plants use fertilizer in a 3 - 1 - 2 ratio of NPK so anything in that ratio is good for ALL plants. Just vary dosage for light and heavy feeders.

Hansa is super hardy. I've never done anything to mine except occasionally toss a handful of fertilizer towards it.

I'm a newer roses gardener as well. I mulch some of my beds to keep the weeds down and moisture in. I pull the mulch away from the base of the plant to allow water and oxygen to get in. It's more than what I commonly see, most hansa roses around here seem to thrive on neglect.

Here is a link on miracle grow on rugosas, it sounds like it works, but to be careful not to spray the leaves: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1657613/miracle-gro-on-rugosas

I burned leaves on rose last year spraying aphids off with water....wasn't thinking and did it on a very hot afternoon...

I grew Hansa in Yellowknife, NWT and I did mulch to keep the weeds down and I liked the way it looked as well. The only fertilizer I ever used was bone meal and blood meal. It is one tough rose and the fragrance was lovely.

WOW, thank you all for the feedback. It looks like there is mixed preferences for both mulching and fertilizing. I have some Miracle Gro pellets that are pretty much versatile, good for both veggies and flowers. I have to admit, those pellets are awesome!!

Anyway, my local greenhouse here is having their rose bushes for sale first week of May. I can't wait to see the different varieties they have. :)

I was eyeing up Hansa yesterday.... Make sure you let us know what you get!!

I love slow release, like osmocote, for my plants. Easy peasy for the whole summer.

SCG

Oh I sure will SCG!!!! :) I'll be one of the first at the greenhouse when they are available so I'll pretty much get the pick of the stock, so to say. :) Come May 1, I'll be phoning them to see when they become available. ;)

Osmocote, what is that?? I've never heard of that. Oh, and another question, for the different rose bush varieties, do they require different care??

Osmocote is a granular fertilizer, it lasts several months. As for rose care, this applies to all varieties:

Dig the hole at least three times wider than the root ball.

Amend the native soil with compost.

Water in the morning to reduce fungal disease.

Keep the soil moist but don't drown the plant, roses hate having their feet soaking in water.

Fertilize once a month with water soluble fertilizer or use granular fertilizer every three months.

Thank you very much cleangeek!!!!! :) That's something I didn't know. :) The advice on the internet is so conflicting. One place it says to prune them, other places say not to prune them. It's really great to hear first hand experiences with them. :)

SCG......I got 2 Hansa rose bushes and 2 Campfire rose bushes. :) I am debating whether or not to add a Therese Bugnet rose bush. So far I haven't found one locally, but there may be another place I can get it from. :)

Nice! I have, yet, to add hansa (don't tell the DW maybe today!) but have campfire and it is a beaut!

Yeah the advice on the internet can be conflicting as there as many gardening techniques as there are gardeners. A new school of thought is that you don't need to amend unless you are going to do an area that the plant will never out grow. As by just doing a small area roots either suffer leaving the amended area or simply do not leave and end up root bound. You will have to do what you find works for you in your garden. The nurseries obviously like you to amend as you buy more.

FWIW all my gardening techniques and advice is gluten free.

SCG

Thank you SCG!!!!! :) :) Did you end up getting Hansa?? :) You mentioned you have Campfire, does it have a scent and if it does, what's it like?? :)

I went to the greenhouse today, which was a mistake, as I ended up bringing home another rose bush. This one is Emily Carr and it's blooming already. I smelled the flowers and they are just heavenly!! Pure red and looks like a mini version of a long stemmed rose. Just gorgeous!! :)

I have plenty of room for my bushes so I'm assuming they will be fine where I put them. :) I'll just make sure to give them a little extra room in between so they'll have room to establish a strong root system. :)

You have me sitting here plotting where I could put more roses. Not very nice of you! :D Darn enablers!

You're always so helpful, Lance. What would we do without you?!

I have one little rose that I've used in containers for years and put it in a pot in the ground for the winter. It was one of those Safeway roses and has come back pretty much the same colour as it was when I got it, so I don't know if it really is the original rose or coming up from the graft. I'm thinking that this summer i'll put it somewhere permanently. I may have a spot....

I aim to please....... :p

I had a strange sensation come over me yesterday when I realized I had more varieties of roses than both nurseries in town...... combined. I acted on the sensation and bought another!!!

SCG

SCG......I'm really sorry that the deer got to your roses. That's a shame. :( I'm happy that there are no deer in this tiny hamlet we live in. There are around the area, but they never come here.

So how many varieties do you have now?? :) Oh, and I looked up "Dream Come True" and that is truly an eye popping rose!! Unfortunately, I can't have them here, too cold for them.

Marcia........Gotcha thinking, eh?? Hehehee!! ;) Well, I can't seem to help myself with that. :P

Sometimes I think too much.... :)

I only have 38.... It is pretty sad around here for roses. There are 6 nurseries around here, 3 are seasonal and carry very little in the way of shrubs or perennials, one is extremely expensive, and the last two carry a very modest selection.

Not sure why I like 'Dream Come True' ....

Marcia needs another rose, I can tell by the sound of her text....and another hosta

Not sure about the hosta, but I just might need another rose or two.... I've had my eye on Emily Carr, and Campfire because Tom Thompson is one of my favourite artists....

FWIW those roses are also amongst the best tasting at least according to one deer. Emily Carr was left with one leaf and Campfire a handful. Campfire is supposed to be an improved version of Morden Sunrise, someplace I heard that. I don't find them similar enough to find that true. If anything I find Emily Carr to be very vigorous, was hit the hardest by the deer and was the only one to bloom after. This year it has the most new growth of any except the few that were cane hardy the deer didn't get and the location is part of the garden that is about 3 weeks behind other sections.

Whats your third choice? Planting in even numbers is bad luck....

SCG

I forgot to mention that by adding three roses you also create 3 shady spots for 3 hosta's...it's a win win situation!!!

Hmmmmmmmmm........

I already have a mini rose that's been living in a container and was planning on planting it this year. I guess it would need a mini-hosta under it?

You know you Wannnna!!

now your thinking.........mini for the mini......or maybe something like empress wu to really make it look small

WOW, 38 varieties?? Dang, that's a lot!!! You have more than our greenhouses here combined as well. I didn't have that many to choose from!!! :)

Say, I have another question for ya. Do these rose bushes need full sun or is morning sun good enough?? I have a few different places I can put them but I was just wondering how much sun they need and when. Muchly appreciated in advance.

I am only going to say that they suggest roses get full sun. Some claim that rugosa's can tolerate some shade and others say they grow but do not bloom or grow as well. I don't have any spots in my yard that receive more than 8 hours of sun a day. With all my trees they all get some shade at some point for some time every day.

I can only say try it and see.

Yikes, reading back I see I have an even number of roses....I must correct that! Hopefully the nursery got its roses in as I think an Austin is called for. I am only reaching the novice level of rose collecting, I know many, many people on here with hundreds of different roses..... one can only dream......

SCG

My Blanc Double de Coubert ended up in too much shade. It still blooms but really leans towards the sun. I've been thinking of relocating it but blanch at the thought of digging it up. Pun intended. :>

shush about Blanc Double de Coubert......it is on my want list.....nuff said but pics would be nice LOL

Ok, taking your advice, I have planned where my bushes are going. :) They will be in full sun. If all goes according to plan and the weather cooperates, they will be planted tomorrow. :)

I totally agree with SCG, pics of the Blanc Double de Coubert would be nice. ;) Pretty please with sprinkles and a cherry on top?? ;)

You'll have to wait until i'm home because they're on the PC. I'm afraid it's pretty scrawny because of being in too much shade but it's a very pretty white rose. You might want to get a picture from Gil (northspruce) - she has one as well.