FAQ
Northland Rosarium: Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Roses
What does own-root mean?
Own-root roses grow on their own roots instead of being grafted onto a different rootstock. If a harsh winter kills a plant back to the ground, it regrows from its roots as the same variety you bought, not as the rootstock rose. Own-root roses also don’t send up suckers from a different rose.
Why are own-root roses a good choice for cold climates?
Because the whole plant is the variety you chose, a hard freeze that kills the canes doesn’t change what grows back. Many gardeners in cold regions choose own-root roses for this reason, along with varieties rated for their zone.
Are own-root roses slower to establish than grafted roses?
They often start smaller, but by the second and third year they typically equal or surpass grafted roses, according to WSU Extension Master Gardeners. Own-root roses also do not sucker, and they tend to live longer.
What are the different classes of roses?
The main classes you’ll see in our shop are hybrid tea (classic long-stemmed blooms), floribunda (clusters of flowers on bushy plants), grandiflora (tall plants with hybrid tea-style blooms in clusters), shrub (easy-care, landscape roses), climbing and rambler (long canes for fences, arbors and walls), miniature and miniflora (compact plants with small blooms), ground cover (low, spreading roses), hybrid rugosa (tough, very hardy and often fragrant), hybrid musk (graceful, repeat-blooming shrubs) and polyantha (small, cluster-flowering plants).
Which roses are the most fragrant?
Fragrance varies by variety, and every listing tells you what to expect. Many English-style roses, hybrid teas and hybrid rugosas are known for strong scent. Planting in sun and picking blooms in the morning also helps you enjoy more fragrance.
Which roses are best for beginners?
Look for roses marked as hardy and disease resistant in their description. Shrub roses, hybrid rugosas and many Griffith Buck and Kordes varieties are popular starting points because they need less fuss than some hybrid teas.
Which roses are best for cut flowers?
Hybrid teas, grandifloras and many floribundas make long-lasting cut flowers. Cut in the morning, just above a leaf with five leaflets, and put stems in water right away.
Which roses grow well in containers?
Miniature, miniflora and compact floribunda and shrub roses do best in pots. Choose a large container with drainage holes, use quality potting mix and water more often than you would for roses planted in the ground.
How big will my rose get?
Each listing gives the expected height and width. Climate, sun, soil and pruning all affect final size, so give your rose room to reach its mature size and don’t crowd it.
Do you carry David Austin, Kordes and Griffith Buck roses?
Yes. You can shop each breeder’s collection from the Shop Roses menu, or browse by class or color.
Can I visit your display garden?
Sadly at this time, we are not open to the public. We are a mail-order only company, so please enjoy our photos online, and our roses when they ship right to your door.
What is the difference between a rose class and a rose variety?
A class is a broad group, such as hybrid tea or shrub. A variety, also called a cultivar, is a specific named rose within a class, such as a particular pink hybrid tea.
Choosing Roses for Your Climate
How do I find my USDA hardiness zone?
Use our Zone Map page, or enter your zip code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Your zone tells you the average coldest winter temperatures where you live.
What zone does my rose need to be?
Every listing shows its recommended zones. Choose roses rated for your zone or colder, and plan on extra winter protection if you are at the edge of the range.
Can I grow roses in a cold climate?
Yes. Choose varieties rated for your zone, such as hardy hybrid rugosas, Griffith Buck roses and other roses described as very hardy, plant in full sun, and mulch for winter.
Can I grow roses in a hot climate?
Yes, but pick varieties that tolerate heat, water deeply, mulch to keep roots cool and give plants some afternoon relief if temperatures are extreme.
Can roses grow in partial shade?
Most roses need at least six hours of direct sun for the best growth and flowering. A few tolerate part shade but will bloom less. Morning sun is better than afternoon sun if your site is shady.
Planting
When is the best time to plant roses?
Plant in spring once the danger of hard frost has passed, and as soon as the soil can be worked. In mild climates fall planting also works, as long as roots have time to settle before the ground freezes.
Find the best ship week and planting time for each USDA zone on Planting Timing by Zone.
What should I do when my roses arrive?
Unpack them right away and check the soil is damp. Water if needed, keep them in bright light out of harsh sun, and if it is still freezing at night, protect them until it is safe to plant. Ease plants into full sun over several days before planting out.
Where should I plant my rose?
Choose a spot with at least six hours of sun, good air circulation and well-drained soil. Avoid crowded corners where leaves stay wet, and keep roses away from competing tree roots.
What kind of soil do roses like?
Roses grow best in loose, fertile, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic, around pH 6.0 to 6.5. Mix compost into heavy clay or sandy soil to improve drainage and nutrients.
How do I plant an own-root rose?
Dig a hole about twice as wide as the pot and as deep as the root ball. Remove the pot, do not disturb the root ball, set the plant in the hole, backfill with soil mixed with compost, and water thoroughly. Set it slightly deeper than it grew in its pot. See our Planting Guide for full instructions.
How far apart should I plant roses?
Space roses based on their mature width listed on the product page, usually about two to four feet apart for bushes and farther for large shrubs and climbers. Good spacing improves air flow and reduces disease.
Should I plant roses near other plants?
Yes. Companion plants such as lavender, clematis, catmint, alliums and perennials work well, as long as they don’t crowd the rose or compete for water and light.
Can I plant roses in the same spot where an old rose died?
It’s best to refresh the soil first. Replace the soil in the planting area with fresh soil, or choose a new location, to avoid problems that can build up where roses grew before.
Watering and Feeding
How often should I water my roses?
Newly planted roses need consistently moist soil, not soggy. Established roses generally like a deep watering about once a week in dry weather, more often in heat or sandy soil. Water at the base in the morning and avoid wetting the leaves.
Is mulch good for roses?
Yes. A three to four inch layer of mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, keeps roots cool, saves water and suppresses weeds. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base of the canes.
When and how should I fertilize roses?
Have your soil tested, then apply only the nutrients the test shows your soil needs. Do not fertilize a newly planted rose until after its first bloom cycle. In cold climates, stop fertilizing by mid-August so plants can harden off before winter.
Do roses need special fertilizer?
A soil test tells you whether your roses need any fertilizer, and complete fertilizers are rarely needed. Compost is a good option. More isn’t better, so follow label rates.
Should I fertilize newly planted roses?
Wait until your new rose has finished its first bloom cycle to apply chemical fertilizer. When planting new roses though, feel free to add organic rose food to the soil. Water well and let roots establish.
Pruning
When should I prune my roses?
Prune most roses in early spring, around the time forsythia blooms, when buds begin to swell and the worst of winter is over. Once-blooming roses and ramblers are pruned right after they flower so you don’t remove next year’s buds.
How do I prune a rose?
Use clean, sharp pruners. Remove dead, damaged and diseased canes first, then thin crossing or crowded canes to open the center, and cut back the remainder to shape the plant. Make cuts just above an outward-facing bud. See our Pruning Guide for step-by-step help.
How hard should I prune?
Hybrid teas and grandifloras are often pruned back by about one-third to one-half, while shrub roses need lighter shaping. Climbers need only light pruning once established. Your variety’s description and our Pruning Guide give specifics.
Should I deadhead my roses?
Yes, for repeat-blooming roses. Removing spent blooms encourages more flowers. Cut back to a leaf with five leaflets. Stop deadheading in late summer and let hips form, so plants can slow down and go dormant before winter.
Should I prune in fall?
Avoid heavy pruning in fall. It can trigger new growth that is killed by frost. Tidy only what is needed, such as tall canes that could whip in the wind, and only after several hard frosts. Do not cut canes back close to the ground.
How do I prune a climbing rose?
Train long canes sideways, since horizontal growth produces more flowers. Prune lightly to remove dead wood and shape the plant, and do the major pruning after the main bloom if the variety blooms once a year.
Winter Care
Do roses need winter protection?
It depends on your zone and the variety. In cold climates, mound soil, compost or mulch around the base after several hard frosts but before the ground freezes, to protect the crown and keep the plant evenly cold, and remove it gradually in spring.
See what to do in each USDA zone, from zone 3 to zone 11, on Winter Protection by Zone.
When should I stop fertilizing and watering for winter?
Stop feeding by mid-August in cold climates so growth can slow down. Keep watering until the ground freezes, and water again on warm winter days, since well-hydrated plants handle cold better.
What is winter damage and what should I do about it?
Winter damage shows as black, brown or shriveled canes. Wait until spring growth begins, then cut canes back to healthy green tissue. Own-root roses typically regrow from the base as the same variety. See our Winter Damage page for details.
When should I remove winter mulch?
Remove protection gradually in spring after the hardest freezes are over and new growth begins. Pulling it off all at once can expose tender shoots to a late frost.
Can I leave roses outdoors in pots over winter?
Roses in pots are more exposed to cold than those in the ground. In cold zones, move containers to a sheltered unheated space or bury the pot in the ground, and keep soil lightly moist.
Pests and Diseases
What are the most common rose diseases?
Black spot (dark spots on leaves), powdery mildew (white coating) and rust are most common. Good air flow, morning watering at the base and disease-resistant varieties help prevent them.
How do I treat black spot?
Remove and discard affected leaves, including fallen ones, and avoid wetting foliage. If it continues, use a fungicide labeled for roses and follow the directions carefully.
What are the little green bugs on my rose buds?
They are likely aphids. A strong spray of water often knocks them off. If they persist, use insecticidal soap or another product labeled for roses. Ladybugs and lacewings are natural allies.
How do I deal with Japanese beetles?
Hand-pick beetles in the morning into soapy water and avoid traps that attract more to your yard. Healthy plants recover quickly from the damage.
How do I keep deer and rabbits away from my roses?
Fencing is the most reliable protection. Repellents can help but need frequent reapplication, and young plants are most vulnerable.
Are roses safe to grow around pets and children?
Roses are generally non-toxic, but thorns can injure. Be careful with any fertilizers or sprays, and keep them away from pets and children according to the label.
Troubleshooting
Why isn’t my rose blooming?
The most common causes are too little sun, too much nitrogen fertilizer, pruning at the wrong time, a plant that is still young, or stress from drought or heat. Check each of these first.
Why are my rose’s leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves can come from overwatering, poor drainage, a nutrient shortage or disease. Check soil moisture first, then look for spots or pests on the leaves.
Why are my new roses wilting after planting?
Some wilting is normal while roots settle. Water deeply, keep soil evenly moist, and give new plants light shade during extreme heat for the first week or two.
Why did my rose’s canes turn black?
Black canes are typically winter damage or a disease problem. Prune back to healthy green wood once spring growth is clear. See our Winter Damage page.
Do I need to remove suckers from an own-root rose?
Growth from the base of an own-root rose is the plant itself, so it’s not a sucker. Keep it and let it build the bush. If you grow grafted roses elsewhere in your garden, suckers from below the graft should be removed.
Ordering and Shipping
When do you ship roses?
We accept orders year round and ship on the week you request, starting as soon as temperatures allow, usually mid-March. We ship on Mondays and Tuesdays through to the end of October.
How much does shipping cost?
Our smallest boxes cost the same with Priority Mail whether they hold one or two roses, so it is more economical to order two. We ship in boxes of 1, 2, 4 or up to 8 roses. Shipping fees are processed at checkout.
Where do you ship?
Our customers are all over the US, and we ship with UPS and USPS Priority Mail. We ship to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Unfortunately, we do not ship to Canada at this time.
Can I choose when my order ships?
Yes. Tell us which week you want your order shipped when you check out, and we ship on Monday or Tuesday of that week. Orders must be received by noon Sunday Pacific Time to ship the following week. We take orders first come, first served: when you order, we take payment and reserve your roses. We do not ship on weeks that begin with a holiday, so your roses arrive in a timely manner.
How are roses packaged for shipping?
Our roses ship in 4 x 4 x 6 inch pots with soil. Boxes hold 1, 2, 4 or up to 8 roses. See About Our Roses to view the size of the pot and plant.
How can I track my order?
An email with tracking information will be sent to you upon printing your shipping label.
Can I change or cancel my order?
When you place your order, we take payment, reserve your roses and mail them in the week you request. If you'd like to make changes, or cancel your order, please give us at least 24 hour notice prior to your shipping date.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes. Our gift card works for any occasion and lets the recipient choose their own roses.
How can I place an order?
You can order on our website with a credit card, gift card, PayPal or Google Wallet.
Why is it more economical to order two roses than one?
Our smallest boxes cost the same to ship with Priority Mail whether they hold one rose or two, so a second rose adds nothing to that box’s shipping cost.
Our Guarantee
What is your guarantee?
We guarantee our roses are true to variety, grown on their own roots and virus free. If a rose is planted and cared for properly, we guarantee it will live through the first year from the date of shipping. The warranty does not include tax and shipping costs. If a rose dies within the conditions of our guarantee, we are happy to issue a refund or a replacement.
What if my rose arrives damaged or doesn’t grow?
To make a claim for a dead rose, email admin@northlandrosarium.com with a photo of the rose so we can give a fair assessment of your situation. We understand that sometimes mail carriers can drop the ball... Or in this case, box. If your rose is still alive but looks weak, email us too. We can likely help bring it back to thriving condition.
Do I need to follow specific planting instructions to qualify?
Yes. The one-year warranty applies when the rose is within your USDA hardiness zone, there are no signs of neglect, and the rose is planted in a timely manner under proper growing conditions and not kept in its pot for an excessive amount of time. It also applies when the rose is not planted in a pot above ground in freezing climates, extreme weather or natural disaster is not the cause, and the rose is completely dead with no signs of life. Neglect includes not following proper care for planting, watering, sunlight, pruning, and pest and fungus management.
What does the warranty not cover?
The warranty does not include tax and shipping costs. It also does not apply when extreme weather or a natural disaster is the cause, or when the rose is still showing signs of life.
Is winter loss covered?
The warranty covers a rose that dies completely within the first year when the conditions above are met. The rose must be within its USDA zone and must not be planted in a pot above ground in freezing climates. Following the winter protection steps for your zone gives your rose the best chance.
What if my rose is alive but looks weak?
Email us at admin@northlandrosarium.com with a photo. We can likely help bring it back to thriving condition, and we are happy to give care advice to the best of our knowledge.
Contact and Account
How do I contact Northland Rosarium?
Visit our Contact page, call 360.386.2055, or email admin@northlandrosarium.com.
How do I sign up for updates and specials?
Subscribe to our newsletter from the form on our homepage for news, specials and gardening tips.
Can I create an account?
Yes. Use the Account link in the site menu to log in or create an account.