How to Water Roses
Roses want deep, infrequent watering that reaches the roots — not frequent light sprinklings. How and when you water also determines how much disease you'll fight.
How much and how often
Most roses need the equivalent of one to two inches of water per week, delivered in a deep soak once or twice rather than a daily sprinkle. Deep watering encourages deep roots that carry the plant through dry spells; shallow watering trains roots to stay near the surface, where they suffer.
Timing matters
Water in the morning so any splashed foliage dries quickly through the day. Newly planted roses and those in containers need more frequent attention — check containers daily in summer, as they dry out fast.
Signs you're getting it wrong
Wilting in the heat of the day that recovers by evening is usually normal; persistent wilting signals a real water problem. Yellowing lower leaves can mean overwatering or poor drainage — remember that roses dislike constantly wet soil as much as drought.