Single or Groups?

Soon, I am planning to add to the number of roses I have in my little rosarium.

Up until now, I have always planted them singly. The idea being to allow for a free flow of air around each plant.

However, when I read the advice of various rose breeders, quite a few suggest planting them in groups of say three in a triangle formation about 40cm apart.

The question is, which is best? To plant them singly as I have done up to now, or in the suggested groups? Is there a right or wrong way, or is the suggestion just a way for the breeders to make more profit?

 

Truly, I do not think it matters much either way. Its whatever look you want to achieve.

 

Hi Sandy,

I think when they say to plant in groups of three, they mean to plant three of the same cultivar/colour so you get a bolder splash of colour.

Our Rose garden is planted up with single bushes of each colour to achieve a jewel like effect.....


As you say, it means more profit for them for instead of buying one of each one you wanted you'd buy ! ! !

 

This is a photo of how they were planted. I think the photo was taken during their first or second season. Thoughts at the time were not only to allow air flow around the plants, but also to make weeding easier. I can easily get between them with an electric hoe!

 

If I had a sunny spot for roses, I always wanted a rose bush with baby's breath growing through it. Guess could do a rose bush and have a gentle white clematis vining through it.

 

40cm is plenty of room for roses. This is purely an aesthetic decision.

 

Not really, the health of the plant is as, if not more important. IMHO, of course.

@wiseowl that lovely comment has really made my day. Just now, my face is as red as a Lancashire rose!

 

Shrub roses shouldn't be planted from an aesthetic point of view first, they need plenty of air circulation to cut down the risk of diseases like black spot. Yes, planting 40cm apart is a possibility with disease resistant shrubs but most roses aren't - even though they are said to be, so I would space them a lot further apart. I've only owned one rose that was completely resistant, a rarity.

 

40 cm is just over 15 inches. I wouldn't dream of planting any shrub, let alone a Rose that close together.

I like to use my Roses for cut flowers with a good 12 inch plus stem on some of them. At that distance they'd be all growing into one another and surely that's no good.

 

I was thinking of planting a white climbing rose in one pot and a pink clematis in another so they will grow up the garden arch and intertwine.

 

One of the reasons that I started this thread is because I am hoping to add some more examples in a few weeks time. The answers from all have helped me make the decision as to how many to add. So a big thank you to all!

Next step will be to call my rose supplier later this morning, check the availability of one particular variety (Baron JB Gonella) and hopefully place an order for delivery in early April. They do not deliver before that due to the climate.