Choosing the Site
Roses require full sun, at least eight hours a day, preferably afternoon sun. Please see individual listings for light requirements of other flowering shrubs, vines and trees. Choose an open site where breezes will blow through. This will aid in drying the foliage, preventing many fungal and viral diseases. Ideally roses should be planted away from other trees and shrubs competing for water and nutrients. Take note of the mature size of your rose or shrub, and allow room for this. Snow provides excellent insulation for even the most tender plant, so consider a spot where snow may gather naturally. The site should be well-drained. If water tends to puddle in the area, either choose a different site, or raise the bed by at least 5 cm (2 inches) by adding organic matter.
