Expert Guidance from Local Growers
How to Grow Roses in Arkansas
Finding the Perfect Spot
In Arkansas, roses thrive with at least six to eight hours of full sunlight each day, ideally in the morning. Good air circulation and avoiding dense shade help keep your roses healthy and disease-free. For best results, choose a planting spot that receives ample sunlight and has well-draining soil.
Consider the orientation of your house and yard, south- or east-facing areas often provide the ideal morning sun, while keeping roses away from crowded or shaded corners helps them grow strong and bloom beautifully.
Mulch for Healthy Roots
Mulch is essential for roses, helping to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature through Arkansas’ hot summers and cool winters.
For best results, apply two to three inches of pine bark or shredded oak leaves around the base of your roses, and in winter, mound mulch 6 to 8 inches up around the trunk to protect roots from freezing.
Pruning for Healthier Roses
Pruning is key to keeping roses healthy, vibrant, and full of blooms. Begin by removing dead, diseased, or damaged wood, as well as any faded flowers, to revitalize the plant and prevent disease.
Shape the bush by thinning the center and cutting back weak or crossing branches, which improves airflow and encourages strong new growth.
Always prune at the proper time for your rose variety, typically during dormancy or after blooming, and make angled cuts just above a set of leaflets to promote healthy, abundant flowering. If you want to read more expert tips on pruning your roses, read more in our article How and When to Prune Roses.
Guarding Roses from Common Insects
In Arkansas, common rose pests include aphids, beetles, thrips, and spider mites. Aphids, beetles, and thrips can damage leaves, buds, and blooms, while spider mites often cause gradual yellowing of leaves that can lead to defoliation if untreated. To manage pests, monitor plants regularly, and remove them by hand or with a strong spray of water when possible.
For more persistent infestations, use targeted insecticides or miticides carefully, following label directions and applying in the early morning or evening to protect beneficial pollinators. Avoid spraying in hot weather above 90°F, and always treat rose beds after watering to reduce stress on the plants.
The Right Way to Water Roses
Roses in Arkansas generally need about two inches of water twice per week, though frequency can vary based on soil type and weather. In the hot summer months, it’s best to water in the morning so the soil can dry during the day, and using drip or soaker hoses ensures deep, thorough watering while reducing the risk of disease.
Feeding for Growth and Color
For roses in Arkansas, begin fertilizing in spring at the first sign of new growth and continue with light, regular feedings about once a month until September. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer suited for flowering shrubs, and always water before and after applying to prevent burning the roots. Keep in mind that application times may vary depending on your specific region and local temperatures.
How to Remove Suckers the Right Way
Suckers are shoots that grow from the rootstock of grafted roses rather than the desired variety. They appear because the rootstock is naturally vigorous and can take over if left unchecked. Removing suckers helps direct the plant’s energy into the main rose, promoting stronger growth and more abundant blooms.
How to remove suckers: Gently remove the soil around the base of the sucker to expose where it emerges from the rootstock. Using clean pruning shears, cut the sucker as close to the root as possible without damaging the main plant. Finally, replace the soil and mulch that was removed. Regularly checking for and eliminating suckers helps keep your rose healthy and productive.
Keeping Your Roses Healthy
Preventive care is key to healthy roses in Arkansas. Ensure good airflow by spacing plants properly and thinning crowded branches, keep soil clean by removing fallen leaves and debris, and promptly discard any infected foliage. Protect your roses from common fungi like blackspot and powdery mildew by applying fungicides early in the season or at the first sign of disease, following label directions carefully, and watering plants before spraying to prevent foliage burn.
Learn from the experts
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