Planting Roses In Containers

Containers make gardening possible for any size home. On The Saturday Early Show, gardening expert P. Allen Smith showed us how to plant roses in containers and how to complement roses with companion plants.

ICEBERG CONTAINER
The Iceberg is a white rose that is very fragrant. It blooms early to mid-summer into fall and needs full sun and well-drained soil.

General Supplies
1 X 20-24 inch terra cotta pots/containers
1 X saucers for 20-24-inch terra cotta pots/containers
1 X 20-pound bags of potting soil. Preferred brand is Shultz pre-blended fertilizer potting soil
1 small container water retentive polymers
1 container of fertilizer

Instructions:
Start by mixing the soil and water retentive polymers together in the terra cotta pot. Next, position the 3-gallon rose in the back of the container. The rose will serve as a tall "spiky" element and also as a dark green background.

Design tip: Flowers and brilliant foliage are more attractive against a green background.

With the rose in place, it's time to fill in with companion plants that will complement the rose. While the rose is certainly perennial, Smith likes to use interesting annual plants in containers so that he can enjoy variety every year.

Here's a list of companion plants that Smith enjoys using with Iceberg: Lambs Ear Catnip. Six Hills Giant White cascading petunias Cascading prostrate rosemary. Pale Lavender Verbena
PERLE D'OR CONTAINER
The Perle D'Or rose is a peach colored rose.*If Perle D'Or is unavailable in your area, go for a peach or salmon polyantha or floribunda.

General Supplies
1 X 20-24 inch terra cotta pots/containers
1 X saucers for 20-24-inch terra cotta pots/containers
1 X 20-pound bags of potting soil. Preferred brand is Shultz pre-blended fertilizer potting soil.
1 small container water retentive polymers
1 container of fertilizer

Instructions
Start by mixing the soil and water retentive polymers together in the terra cotta pot. Next, position the 3-gallon rose in the back of the container. The rose will serve as a tall "spiky" element and also as a dark green background. Design tip: Flowers and brilliant foliage are more attractive against a green background. With the rose in place it's time to fill in with companion plants that will complement the rose. While the rose is certainly perennial, Allen likes to use interesting annual plants in containers so that I can enjoy variety every year.

Here's a list of companion plants that Allen enjoys using with Perle D'Or: Coleus 'Fright Night' Coleus 'Kiwi Fern' Coleus 'Tilt-a-whirl' Golden Creeping Jenny Callabrachoe Million Bells in deep burgundy or wine or 'Terra Cotta' Dark purple verbena.

FOR BOTH:
The round elements should be placed closest to the rose, while the cascading elements should be closer to the lip of the pot and allowed to flow over the front. While the rose provides height to the container, it's important for the other elements to be lower to allow for air circulation, which will cut down on the chance for disease.

Finally, make sure your saucer is under the pot and water your new container in with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer. Water the container when the soil appears dry and fertilize approximately once a month.