The Best Mulch for Roses
The best mulch for roses is an organic material like shredded bark, wood chips, compost, or well-rotted manure, applied two to three inches deep and kept clear of the stems. It conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and feeds the soil.
Mulch is one of the easiest ways to grow better roses. A two- to three-inch layer of organic mulch conserves soil moisture, moderates soil temperature, suppresses weeds, and — as it breaks down — feeds the soil. Good choices include shredded bark or wood chips, compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mold, or pine straw.
Apply mulch in spring after the soil has warmed, and keep it pulled back a couple of inches from the base of each plant so the stems and graft union stay dry and rot-free. Top it up as it decomposes. Avoid piling fresh, un-composted material thickly against the canes.