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A Guide to Caring for Patio Roses

patio roses

Most of the roses we sell on the website are patio roses, which are miniature roses that grow up to 30 cm in height and width. They can either be kept outdoors in a container or planted directly into the ground near the front of the border. Miniature roses tend to have smaller flowers, but they typically grow many more blooms at once in relation to their size, so they make a very attractive feature for the garden or patio and are perfect for small spaces.

What is the best position for Patio Roses

Roses always flower best in full sun, so whether you choose to keep the plant in a container or plant it directly into the ground, find a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day for the most blooms. Try to find a spot where your rose has a little space around it for good airflow. Roses do not enjoy too high humidity, and it can cause problems with fungal infections.

TOP TIP: Raise a container grown plant up on pot feet to allow ample drainage, especially through the winter and wet months, to avoid the plant pot becoming waterlogged.

How to water Patio Roses

Roses like to be watered frequently, so as soon as the topsoil dries out give them a water. All plants kept in containers will need to be watered more frequently through the summer when it is warm. You are aiming to keep the soil slightly damp, and try to avoid getting water on the foliage in the hottest part of the day.

How often to feed Patio Roses

Ideally Patio Roses should be fed on a regular basis through the growing season with a high potassium fertiliser. From March till September, aim to feed your plant once every couple of weeks when watering, use a simple tomato fertiliser which will be high in potassium. Following on from that, roses will benefit with a sprinkle of bonemeal into the top soil around October, rake the bonemeal into the soil which will fertilise your plant and help it to grow more healthy roots through the winter months.

TOP TIP: A top dressing can help to add more nutrients and supress weeds at the base of the plant, top dress with up to 2 inches of mulch, but allow the mulch to dip down and then be clear of the stem by a couple inches all around.

How to prune and deadhead Patio Roses

The more frequently you deadhead roses, the more they will bloom. As soon as the flowers start to fade, cut them back to right above a leaf, keeping the cut at a slight slope so rain can drain away from the cut. Some Patio Roses have several buds from one branch, so in this case, remove the spent buds and their stems back to the joint of the branch until the last flower bud of the bunch has finished flowering. Then make the final deadhead cut just above a branch with 5 leaflets. It is also important to take good care of your secateurs, ensuring that they are kept sharp and clean to help avoid spreading disease or damaging the plant.

Patio Roses require minimum pruning to keep them neat and tidy. The best time to prune patio roses is February to March, when you are starting to get fresh growth buds coming through. Remove any weak/thin branches or any deadwood right back to where it had grown from. Ensure to check all the branches over and remove any with signs of black spots. At this point you can also do a general tidy up at the tips if necessary to get the plant all one height. If needed, you can cut a rose back harder to 6 inches above the soil; they will just take a bit longer to regrow and flower.

When pruning roses, you should always cut above a new growth bud, cut at a 45-degree angle so that it is sloping away from the growing node, cutting a few millimetres above as in the pictures. You always want to cut roses at a slight slope to avoid water sitting in the cut. They say it is best to wait until we have a few dry, mild days forecast so the cuts can seal over quickly, so if the winter is still wet and cold in February you can wait for a few more weeks if you need too.

  • rose plant before pruning

    Patio Rose before pruning

  • pruning a rose

    Prune patio roses above a growth bud

  • rose that has been pruned

    Prune at a 45-degree angle so that it is sloping away from the growing node

Problem solving

The most common problems with Patio Roses are aphids and black spot fungal infections, both are very easy to treat with care and attention.

Aphids can either be squished with your fingers or you can spray your plant thoroughly with a soapy water solution (Washing up liquid mixed with water, approximately 1 teaspoon to 2 litres of water). If spraying your plant, try to do this when the plant is in the shade to avoid scorching the young leaves. Normally one or two very thorough soakings with soapy water are enough to clear away the problem, and as a preventative, you can add in a few drops of peppermint and tea tree essential oils into the spray to deter further infestations in the near future. You can treat the plant as many times as you need with this method and rest assured that this kind of contact only treatment won't harm other beneficial bugs and bees in the garden.

To find out more about natural pest control treatments, read our plant pest advice care page.

Black spot is a fungal infection caused by prolonged damp conditions and having infected spent foliage nearby, so it is important to remove any black-spotted foliage and branches as soon as you see it. Destroy it or dispose of it in a garden disposal bin that is far away from the plant. It is a spore that can travel on the wind and spread from plant to plant. The best way to avoid black spot is some careful maintenance at the end of the year; always remove any spent foliage from the bottom of the plant and dispose of it in your garden waste collection bin. Remove the top couple of inches of soil and put fresh soil on top. There are rose fungicide sprays that you can use if it is very bad, but you will still need to remove all the damaged foliage and branches.

Buy Patio Roses Online

At Plants4Presents, we pride ourselves on selling only the best, Patio Roses and anniversary roses, and birthday themed roses that will bring joy for weeks to come. Patio Roses make fantastic gifts, bringing long lasting colour to patios, doorsteps, balconies and terraces, and by selecting a plant from Plants4Presents, you can be confident that it will be a superb specimen, arriving at your loved ones doorstep looking absolutely fabulous.

Rose Care Frequently Asked Questions

Can Patio Roses be kept indoors?

Patio Roses prefer outdoor conditions where they can get plenty of sunlight and fresh air. Choose a sunny outdoor position and if you’re growing your rose in a pot, place it on pot feet to ensure good drainage, especially in winter.

How often should I water my Patio Rose?

Container-grown roses will need watering more often in warm weather so water regularly, as soon as the top layer of soil feels dry. Avoid watering the leaves during the hottest part of the day to prevent scorch. Over a very hot summer you may need to water every other day, through winter not at all as the rain will take care of this for you.

How should I feed my Patio Rose?

Feed your Patio Rose in late winter with a layer of well rotted manure or rich compost as a mulch alongside a sprinkle of bonemeal raked into the top soil in October. Through summer, Patio Roses benefit from a weekly liquid fertiliser feed designed for flowering or fruiting plants to encourage strong growth and more blooms.

What are the most common problems with Patio Roses?

The two most common issues are aphids and black spot. Aphids can be removed by hand or treated with a soapy water spray. For prevention, try adding a few drops of peppermint and tea tree oil to the spray. Black spot is a common fungal disease caused by damp conditions. Remove and dispose of affected leaves immediately and at the end of the season, clear fallen leaves and replace the top layer of soil to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Can I plant my Patio Rose in the ground?

Yes — Patio Roses grow beautifully in the ground as well as in containers. Choose a sunny position near the front of a border where they won’t be overshadowed by taller plants, and ensure the soil drains well.

Do Patio Roses make good gifts?

Absolutely! Patio Roses are one of our most popular gifts — they’re long lasting and available in a range of varieties including Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday Roses. Each plant is delivered gift wrapped with an attractive pot and a handwritten greetings card with your personal message.

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