Marianne's Response

Encouraging a Lady Banks rose bush to bloom

My 4-year-old Lady Banks rose, planted to arch over the front porch of our adorable garden shed, has grown beautifully, but has never bloomed at all. What should I do to encourage it to bloom?
Thank you.

Posted by gaither terrell on April 26, 2014

Marianne's Response

Your lovely Lady Banks rose needs full sun and warm weather to flower best. Roses are hungry plants and also need plenty of nutrients. Work some slow release Osmocote plant food into the soil each June but also give your roses a shot of liquid plant food like Miracle Grow when you see new growth in the spring, and add alfalfa pellets or compost around the base of the rose plant in the summer. You did not mention where you garden. In cool summer areas or when winters are cold the Lady Banks may never flower. Check with the State Extension Service in your area for a list of rose varieties that do well in your climate zone. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti