Have you ever wondered why the string of prayer beads used by Catholics is called a rosary? Well, the answer lies in the bush outside your window. Once, the beads in rosaries were made from rose petals. Many modern rosaries are made from wood, silver, or glass, ...

One of the very best soil amendments to use for rose bushes—or any other plant in your garden—is compost. Using compost improves soil structure, texture, and aeration and increases the soil's water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils retain water. Adding compost improves soil fertility ...

Fertilizer is, simply put, food for roses. And roses love to eat. If you feed your bushes a healthy, nutritional diet, they will take the fertilizer and turn it into big, beautiful blooms. Here’s how to do it. The best time to fertilize established bushes is in late ...

When it comes to roses, good pruning is essential to good health. Pruning removes dead wood, controls the shape of your bush, and encourages vigour and healthy flowers. The time to prune is in late winter while your bushes are still dormant, just before you put down ...

Mulch does a number of wonderful things for your rose bushes. It can help deter weeds, prevent moisture loss, cool the soil structure on hot summer days and, as it decomposes, provide nutrients to the soil beneath. Mulch helps protect your rosebushes from fungal spores, which get bounced ...