MINIATURE-, FLORIBUNDA-. SHRUB-

Enchant your patio or balcony, so that it will be an oasis of well-being. In general every rose is just fine in any "plant container", but there are some little tricks you should keep in mind:

• The size of a plant container should be at least 50 cm high and 50 cm wide (roughly it is a container with about 50 liters), if you want to keep the plant over a longer period. If the plantation is only for one summer, also smaller containers will make do, but have the risk of drought, so please water regularly. There is a general rule: larger containers are better.
• You are free to choose the material of the container. Plastic/clay/terracotta, the rose plant is not very picky on the material. Holes in the ground of the container are absolutely necessary to avoid any accumulation of water which will damage the roots.
• The rose plant will need at least 4-5 hours of direct sunlight (whereas it is not important if in the morning or in the afternoon), so the plant can accumulate enough power to stay floriferous throughout the whole season.
• In wintertime and in order to avoid hard frost, we do recommend brushwood from a fir or something similar to be put in between the upper parts of the rose plant. It is important that the containers stay out of wind and sun and it is also recommended to make a protection around the containers (such as Bubble wrap, or similar material suitable for isolation).
• Areas which are too dry and too hot favor the growth of spider mites and development of mildew fungus.  Irrigation should ideally be done in the early morning, without irrigating the plants "from above", because wetting the leaves could promote the growth of fungal diseases.
• The soil for the container should be labeled "rose soil" in order to keep a good soil structure in the container. you should also keep the soil 3-5 cm underneath the containers edge in order to have a good irrigation.
• A regular dose of fertilizer is very important as the plant needs ample nutrients, too. The soil in a container will only have a certain part of "plant food" available, so naturally you will need to replenish the soil. Based on our climate in northern Germany we do it like this: you give the first dose of rose fertilizer at the beginning of the season (in northern Germany it is March). The next dose is due shortly before the first flowers (May) and the last time in the end of summer with half the dose of fertilizer to slow down the growth and to make the plant more frost resistant.
• If the container is large enough you could also plant for example a few Salvia, Campanula or catnip around the rose plant, to make the container even more attractive.