Marianne's Response

Rose bushes and sunlight help

Hi Marianne,
I am a new member to your site and I do have a rose bush question for you. just planted 5 sol desire floribunda rose bushes and 3 peach drift rose bushes on the side of my house. I made the classic mistake of not checking the sunlight conditions in the location where they were planted. I also researched the light requirements and know they are both full sun plants. They are getting sunlight, but not morning sun. The light they receive is patchy from about 11 – 1:30, and then direct light from about 1:30 – 3:30/4:00. Is this enough light? I might cut a large section of a nearby tree causing the patchy light so that they get even more direct light during that time. If I cut the tree branches blocking, is 11-4pm direct sun enough? I just want them to have the best chance to thrive since they are such beautiful plants. Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great day,
Kelli Velasquez

Posted by Kelli Velasquez on May 18, 2022

Marianne's Response

Good for you doing your research and trying to create the perfect conditions for those lovely roses! I agree that pruning to allow more sunlight will really benefit the roses. They need 4 to 6 hours of direct sun a day. If after a few years you are disappointed with the roses you could always move them, but different rose varieties have different sunshine demands. Just wait and see how these do. Be sure to fertilize at least twice each growing season in spring and after the first flush of blooms and water deeply during drought. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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