Victoria and Barney Martin of Stokesay Flowers give their advice on growing roses for cutting. Words: Kendra Wilson, photographs Jason Ingram
Victoria and Barney Martin took on the lease of a one-acre walled garden at Stokesay Court near Ludlow in Shropshire ten years ago, and have since become known for their luxurious roses and cut flowers. Described by florist Shane Connolly as truly among the best in the UK, their flowers are grown with passion and flair and without chemicals. Of all the luxurious stems grown at Stokesay Flowers, it is roses that are desired the most by customers, including rambling roses, cut by the tumbling branch.
Experimentation is part of the Stokesay ethos, and roses are obtained from many sources, including discount supermarkets. But any that are found to be “unlovely or ungenerous in flower” are soon gone.
In a garden that relies on garlic and seaweed spray rather than a chemical alternative, the plants need to be naturally healthy, and any that dont make the cut are dug up and replaced. One exception is the pink and white-striped Rosa ‘Variegata di Bologna’, severely prone to black spot, but tolerated for its decadent beauty.
Old roses are the Martins’ favourites, each one an ode to romance. They love the anticipation, the intense but finite burst of flower. And yet there are many old roses in the garden such as Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ and R. ‘Buff Beauty’ that keep on going, on and off, into autumn.
Here, Victoria and Barney share the best roses for cutting and their tips on growing them – including a recipe for a garlic and seaweed spray that they swear by for controlling aphids on roses and generally giving the plants a boost.
Growing roses for cut flowers can be a rewarding hobby or side business With the right care and preparation, you can have an abundant supply of fragrant roses to decorate your home or sell at the local farmer’s market In this complete guide, we will cover how to select the best rose varieties, proper planting techniques, care and maintenance, harvesting, and arranging tips.
Choosing the Best Rose Varieties for Cutting
With over 150 rose species and thousands of hybrids, select varieties wisely. The best cut roses have long, straight stems, are prolific bloomers, and have a vase life of 5-7 days or more. Some top picks include:
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Hybrid Teas – Offer classic rose form with large, elegant blooms on long stems. Varieties like ‘Mister Lincoln’ and ‘Double Delight’ make great cut flowers.
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Grandifloras – Known for tall plants with abundant blooms. ‘Queen Elizabeth’ has saturated pink 4-inch flowers.
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Floribundas – Produce clusters of smaller blooms on shorter stems. ‘Iceberg’ and ‘Brilliant Pink Iceberg’ are excellent choices.
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English Roses – Bred by David Austin, these have rosette shapes with strong, old rose fragrance. ‘Patience’ and ‘Graham Thomas’ do well as cut flowers.
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Albas – Feature white or pale blossoms and intense fragrance. ‘Alba Semiplena’ has great vase life.
Consider your climate when selecting varieties. Check for disease resistance and ask local rose growers for advice on the best types for your area.
How to Plant Roses for Cutting
Location – Plant in full sun, at least 6 hours per day Provide good airflow and space 18-24 inches apart.
Soil – Well-draining soil enriched with compost is ideal. Roses thrive in slightly acidic conditions, pH 6.0-6.5.
Time to Plant – Bare roots in early spring before buds open. Potted roses can be planted in spring after frost danger passes. Fall planting works too.
Planting Procedure – Dig holes 2-3 times wider than the root ball Build a mound of soil in the bottom and spread roots over it Cover with soil and water well,
Support – Install trellises, fences, or stakes at planting to support canes as they grow.
Mulch – Apply 2-4 inches of shredded bark, compost, or other organic mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Care and Maintenance for Healthy Rose Bushes
Watering – Provide 1-2 inches of water per week. Deep soak roots and avoid wetting foliage.
Fertilizing – Use a balanced rose fertilizer or compost tea monthly during growing season.
Pruning – In early spring, remove dead or damaged canes and shape plants. Make cuts at a 45-degree angle just above outward facing buds.
Weeding and cultivation – Keep soil consistently moist. Mulch helps reduce weeds. Gently cultivate to aerate soil.
Pest control – Monitor for aphids, Japanese beetles, powdery mildew, and black spot. Use organic sprays as needed.
Winter protection – In cold climates, mound soil or mulch around the base to insulate roots. Prune back canes to prevent whipping.
Harvesting Roses for Cut Flower Arrangements
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Pick roses when petals are just starting to unfurl, often early morning.
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Use clean, sharp pruners to cut stems on a slant above an outward facing leaf node.
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Place immediately in warm water. Recut stems underwater and remove leaves that fall below waterline.
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Condition stems in a holding solution for several hours before arranging. Use commercial flower food or DIY recipes.
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When possible, select roses at various stages of opening for mixed arrangements. Fully open or “blown” blooms won’t last as long.
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Transport cut roses gently and keep hydrated. Place flower heads upside down or wrap in newspaper.
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Store cut roses in a cool location, away from direct sun. Refrigeration speeds up bud opening.
Tips for Arranging Roses
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Combine roses with garden fillers like baby’s breath, ferns, hosta leaves, or herbs.
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Vary heights for visual interest. Use florist foam or chicken wire frames to support taller stems.
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Cluster 3, 5, or 7 rose stems together for impact. White roses pair elegantly with any color.
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Showcase fragrance by floating roses in low bowls or placing arrangements near seating areas.
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Mix types of roses together – hybrid teas for classic form, spray roses for texture, English roses for cupped blossoms.
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Accent with interesting greenery. Holly, ruscus, bear grass, and succulents complement roses.
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Use roses to create focal points. Place an arrangement in the center of the dining table or top of a mantle.
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Preserve arrangements by refreshing water and recutting stems every 2-3 days. Remove spent blooms promptly.
Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Roses
Japanese Beetles – Hand pick early morning when sluggish. Use pheromone traps to attract and trap. Spray neem oil.
Black Spot – Improve air circulation. Remove and destroy infected leaves. Use fungicidal soap weekly.
Powdery Mildew – Space plants for good airflow. Avoid wetting foliage. Apply neem oil or sulfur sprays.
Aphids – Knock off with strong spray of water. Apply insecticidal soap. Introduce ladybugs.
Botrytis Bloom Blight – Improve ventilation. Avoid crowding plants. Remove damaged tissue. Spray biofungicide.
Winter Damage – Select hardy, own-root varieties. Protect roots from temperature swings with mulch. Prune properly to avoid cane dieback.
Final Tips for Growing Amazing Roses for Cutting
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Take rose cuttings from favorite plants to propagate more free bushes.
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Amend soil with compost tea or organic Rose Tone fertilizer for strong growth.
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Keep a notebook to track rose performance each year and select the best producers.
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Research heirloom and antique varieties for incredible fragrance and old-world charm.
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Join a rose society or garden club to connect with experienced rose growers nearby.
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Start a small rose nursery to sell bare root plants and make extra income.
I hope these tips help you succeed in growing prolific, beautiful roses this season. With smart variety selection, proper care, and attentive harvesting, your home can overflow with vase after vase of gloriously fresh cut roses.
Grow with airy plants
“We like to grow plants with roses that are small at the bottom and airy at the top. I just love the delicate spires of foxgloves with roses. Tellimas work well as they act as a mulch over the soil but are not invasive.”
“Generally it seems that a good hard prune in late winter works well for most shrub and bush roses, to give us strong long cutting stems. We prune between knee and hip height unless a shrub is specifically being grown for its graceful arching branches, such as Rosa ‘Buff Beauty’. We also pick long arching boughs of rambling roses, so we tend to leave these unpruned in the winter, and just tidy them up to sell in the summer.”
Heres more on pruning roses
Victoria and Barney’s tips on growing roses for cutting
Planting and Growing Roses for Cut Flower Production
FAQ
What type of roses are best for cut flowers?
If you’re looking specifically for cut flower roses, hybrid tea roses are commonly used for bouquets. These are the typical roses used by florists. While the bouquet of these beautiful flowers is stunning, don’t forget the impact that a single cut rose in a beautiful bud vase can make.
Can you grow a rose from a cut flower?
It’s not ideal, but you can always give it a try. However, roses bred expressly to sell as cut flowers are less likely to grow well on their own roots (they’re usually grafted onto stronger roots), so even if you do succeed in rooting these cuttings, the resulting plants may not do well for you.
What type of rose do florists use?
Long-stem roses are variations of hybrid tea roses and are the most common types of roses sold as cut flowers and used by florists. With stems at least 6 inches long and blooms 5 inches wide, long-stem roses are great for use in bouquets and floral arrangements.
What does Epsom salt do for roses?
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Magnesium and Chlorophyll:Roses, like other plants, need magnesium to produce chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis and vibrant green leaves.
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Improved Nutrient Uptake:Epsom salts can help roses better absorb other essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
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Larger Blooms and Stronger Stems:By addressing magnesium deficiency and improving overall health, Epsom salts can lead to more and larger blooms, as well as stronger stems.
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Deters Pests:Epsom salts can also help deter some common rose pests.
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How to Use:You can apply Epsom salts to the soil around your rose bushes or mix it into a solution to spray on the foliage.
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Dosage:A common recommendation is to use 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts per gallon of water and apply it to the soil or foliage.
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When to apply:You can apply Epsom salts when planting, when roses first start growing, and when they are in full bloom.
Can you grow roses from cut flowers?
If your goal is growing roses from cut flowers you received in a bouquet, you can take a rose cutting when you first get the flowers. This may be a tough choice since you’d surely like to enjoy the fresh flowers as well. What I usually do is take the cuttings and then place the shorter blooms in a small vase or votive candle holder.
How do you grow roses from stem cuttings?
Place the pots in a well-lit area. Water regularly while the cuttings grow; keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater. When a root ball forms—typically after about one week—transplant the cutting to the ground. Filter provides these best practices for helping your delicate stem cuttings grow into thriving roses.
What are the best cut roses?
If you’re looking specifically for the best cut roses, hybrid teas are most found in bouquets. These roses are the type that florists use with a single bud at the end of a long, straight stem. Remember the beauty of a single rosebud in a vase as well as a bountiful bouquet.
How do you cut a rose?
Make a fresh cut. Cut the bottom off the rose stem at a 45-degree angle under running water. Consider the next cut. With most fresh cut florist rose bouquets, you can usually take more than one cutting from a single long-stem rose. Make sure each cutting has at least one or two healthy leaf nodes. Make the next cut under water.
Can you root a rose bush from a cutting?
This is why rooting your cut roses will take a lot longer and will be less successful than if you were to simply root a cutting from a bush. If you’re lucky enough to have a cutting though, check out my post on the Easiest Method to Grow Rose Bushes from Cuttings!
How to grow roses from cut flowers underwater?
Follow the steps below carefully to grow Roses from cut flowers underwater. Take the cuttings as instructed above and apply the rooting hormone on the cut end of each cutting. Get a clean, transparent vase and fill it halfway with lukewarm water. Dip the cut end in the water and ensure no leaves are under the water.