There is hardly anyone who does not enjoy the scent of fresh roses in their home or garden. Their delicate fragrance and charming appearance enhance any environment. And thanks to advances in horticulture and conservation techniques, we can enjoy the wonderful scent of roses all year round.
But how exactly is this achieved? If you ever have specific questions about the flowering cycle and growth habits of the classic rose, then keep reading this article to find the answers. We at Infinity Flowerbox are experts when it comes to the rose and we have compiled the most important facts and information about its growth cycles.
When do roses bloom?
Roses bloom in cycles. The time between the cutting of a fully bloomed rose and the blooming of a new bud is called a "flowering cycle" by gardeners. The flowering cycle of most roses is about 6-8 weeks, with some exceptions.
Most rose varieties bloom continuously, which means that they can have several flowering cycles over the course of a season, which usually lasts from May to October, depending on the climate. In Southern California, for example, rose season often begins as early as March, while in equatorial climates, roses can actually be grown year-round. Most commercial roses are grown in such climates because they allow for continuous production.
In most climates, rose plants begin their first flowering cycle after the last winter frost (provided they have been pruned properly). From then on, you can usually harvest rose blossoms every 6-8 weeks until the end of the season.
However, these general rules do not apply to all types of roses. There are three main categories of rose flower cycles.
Single-flowering plants
Certain rose varieties only bloom once a season. The best known of these is the Carolina rose. This type of rose blooms for the first and only time in May and grows wild in many parts of the USA, especially in the South.
Double bloomer
Even rarer are double-flowering rose species (although some single-flowering roses occasionally produce an irregular second bloom towards the end of the growing season in late summer or fall). An example of this rare characteristic is the Damask rose (Rosa damascena), a very popular variety that originated in the Middle East. These roses are also unique in that they usually bloom in late summer or fall. Another, lesser known variety, is the broad-leaved "Quatre saisons blanc mousseux", which literally translates from French as "four seasons bright white". As the name suggests, this fragrant flower is almost always white, although breeders have also bred it in light pink in the past.
Repeat bloomer
The average garden rose is likely to be a repeat bloomer, which means that you can often harvest several blooms from it before the end of the season. Another classic example is the hybrid tea rose 'Peace', which is very popular with gardeners because its flowering cycle of three to five weeks is much shorter than average.
Growing your own roses
Now that you've learned a bit more about the different types of roses and their different flowering cycles, here are some helpful tips if you want to create your own rose garden.
Planting the roses
There are two ways to start planting roses. The first is with bare-root roses. You should buy these from a mail order company and keep an eye on the ideal planting date. Bare-root roses should be planted as soon as they arrive. They are usually shipped in early spring when the plants are still dormant (before they have "shed their leaves").
When they arrive, bare-root roses look little more than a bundle of canes - so they're not dead, just dormant. Make sure the material they are packed in is moist and keep them in a cool, dark place until they are planted.
You can also opt for potted roses, sometimes also called container roses. These can also be ordered or bought from a local nursery. They are best planted in late spring, but you can also start planting them late in the season - just make sure you water them properly, especially when it gets warmer in summer.
Watering and pruning
Your roses need to be watered diligently. Under ideal summer conditions, you should water the entire root zone about twice a week.
But don't drown them! Too much water can kill the roses - the soil should be moist but not visibly waterlogged.
Fertilizing the roses
We do not recommend the use of artificial fertilizers, especially liquid fertilizers, as they encourage the growth of undergrowth that can attract aphids and other hungry pests. Instead, you should fertilize the soil of your roses before, after and during the growing season with natural fertilizers or even better with compost.
At the beginning of the growing season, usually in May and June, magnesium sulphate can act as a wonderful and natural growth accelerator. A tablespoon of Epsom salt provides the necessary dose. However, a fun alternative source of magnesium can also come from an unlikely source: a simple banana peel.
Banana peels are a natural source of magnesium, sulphur, calcium and phosphates - all things that roses love and that help them grow faster and better. Bury an old, squishy banana or two near the bush and watch them bloom.
Real roses that last for several years from Infinity Flowerbox
We admire anyone who pursues the noble goal of growing their own roses at home, but you don't need your own garden to enjoy their fragrance all year round.
Our specialty here at Infinity Flowerbox is our handmade Infinity rose arrangements, which are made from 100% real roses grown on our rose farm in Ecuador (and which, as you now know, can be harvested all year round).