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Belle Époque · Rose Nursery Aalsmeer
Rose care
Everything you need to properly plant, prune, and care for your roses — from growers who do it themselves.
A rose does not stand alone but is part of the life in your garden. Biodiversity naturally protects against diseases. Healthy, strong plants are more resilient. A clean garden prevents the spread of infections. Roses require patience — a mature plant usually needs 2 to 3 years to show its full strength.
Plant guide
Rose plants
The right timing and technique make the difference between a struggling plant and a blooming rose.
Bare-root roses
November through February · preference: autumn
- Place the roots briefly in cold water (30–60 min) immediately after arrival.
- Dig a spacious planting hole — roots must not bend.
- Plant so deep that the graft union is 5 cm below the ground.
- Add 3–4 handfuls of garden soil and mix lightly.
- Firmly press the soil around the roots — no air pockets.
- Water generously after planting.
Roses in a pot
All year round · not during frost
- Dig a planting hole at least 50 × 50 cm.
- Improve the soil with rose or potting soil.
- Carefully remove the pot — cut the sides if the root ball is stuck.
- Place the plant at the graft union height (5 cm below ground).
- Fill in, press firmly, water.
Pruning Guide
Pruning promotes blooming
Each type of rose requires its own approach. Always cut at an angle, just above an outward-facing bud.
Shrub Roses — Spring Pruning (mid-March)
- Remove thin, diseased, or dead branches completely.
- Keep 3 strong main branches — cut them back to 10–15 cm above the ground.
- Always cut at an angle, just above an outward-facing bud.
- Tea hybrids: prune back to ⅓ of the original height.
- Floribundas: prune back to ½ of the height.
- English roses & Rugosa: prune back to ⅓ of the height.
Climbing roses
- Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
- Cut side shoots back to about 30 cm above the ground.
- Leave strong, young shoots for the next bloom.
- Tie loose branches to the support — preferably horizontally for more blooms.
Ramblers (once blooming)
- Prune after the summer bloom — not in the spring.
- Cut back the main branches to half their length.
- Remove low-hanging shoots that touch the ground.
Summer pruning — after each bloom
Remove faded flowers just below the first five-leaf axil. This stimulates new buds and keeps the plant blooming. Applies to all repeat bloomers.
Autumn Pruning — Frost Preparation
- Cut back to knee height (approx. 40–50 cm).
- Cover the grafting point with at least 15 cm of loose soil or leaf compost.
- Remove the protection in early spring during the spring pruning.
Common mistakes
Top 10 planting mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls and your roses will do the rest.
Roots not pre-soaked
Place bare-root roses in cold water for 30–60 minutes immediately after arrival. Dried-out roots are difficult to restore.
Wrong location
Roses need at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day and good air circulation. Shade = weak plant and more fungus.
Planted too shallowly
The graft union (the swelling at the base of the stem) must be 5 cm below the ground. Too shallow = frost sensitivity and wild shoots.
Hole moistened
Do not do this — wet soil does not adhere well to the roots. Water generously only after planting.
High soil density
Keep the soil around the plant loose — raking it up promotes water absorption and root growth.
Not feeding or feeding too little
Roses are heavy feeders. Regularly fertilize with rose fertilizer starting in April — stop in August so the plant can go dormant.
Water leaves when wet
Water the soil, not the leaves. Wet leaves provide a breeding ground for powdery mildew and black spots.
Let diseased leaves hang
Remove affected leaves immediately and throw them in the trash — not in the compost. This stops the spread.
Do not prune after flowering
"Pruning encourages blooming." Remove faded flowers after each blooming cycle to stimulate new buds.
No frost protection
Cover the grafting point with at least 15 cm of loose soil before the first frost. Wrap climbing roses extra with burlap.
Rose year
Monthly calendar
What do you do when? An overview for the whole year.
Rust. Check frost protection. Order new roses in advance for the planting season.
Spring pruning as soon as the night frost has passed (mid-February to March). Remove covering material. Apply the first feeding.
Bare-root season in full swing. Plant new roses. First shoots appear — protect against late night frost.
Promote growth with rose fertilizer. Check for aphids. Water during dry periods.
First bloom! Remove faded flowers. Aphids active — spray with water or use natural control methods.
Second bloom wave after summer pruning. Continue feeding. Dry weather: water the soil daily.
Heat stress: water in the morning. Prune rambler roses after flowering. Apply summer fertilizer for the last time.
Stop using nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Third bloom is coming. Check for fungal diseases in wet weather.
Autumn bloom. Order bare-root roses for fall planting. The planting season starts from mid-September.
New rose plants. Autumn pruning: cut back to knee height. Remove fallen leaves (to prevent disease spread).
Best planting month for bare-root roses. Cover the graft union with 15 cm of soil in case of impending frost.
Check for rust and frost protection. Wrap climbing roses with burlap during severe frost. Plan for next season.
Diseases & pests
Recognize & address
Prevention is always better than cure. Healthy plants in a diverse garden are the best defense.
Fungal diseases
Powdery mildew
Identification: White/gray powdery coating on leaves and buds.
Cause: Poor air circulation, alternating wet-dry weather.
Approach: Remove affected leaves. Spray with a sodium bicarbonate solution or use a fungicide.
Black spot disease
Identification: Dark, star-shaped spots on the leaf — leaves fall off early.
Cause: Spores spread via rainwater on the leaf.
Approach: Water the soil. Remove affected leaves (do not compost). Use a copper-based treatment preventively.
Rust
Identification: Yellow-orange spots on the top of the leaf, orange/brown spore clusters on the underside.
Cause: High humidity and cool weather.
Approach: Remove affected leaves. Apply fungicide. Good air circulation helps prevent it.
Insects & pests
Aphids
Identification: Green or black aphids on young shoots and buds.
Approach: Spray vigorously with the garden hose. Plant lavender, allium, or geranium nearby — they attract natural enemies (ladybugs, lacewings). Severe infestation: use an insecticide based on pyrethrin.
Spider mites
Identification: Fine spider web on leaf, yellow-speckled leaf, silvery sheen.
Approach: Spray regularly — mites do not like moist leaves. Severe infestation: use a miticide (acaricide).
Rose beetles & caterpillars
Rose beetles: Remove by hand — they are slow early in the morning. Use an insecticide in case of severe infestation.
Caterpillars: Remove manually or use a biological agent based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Plant chives, garlic, allium, or lavender around your roses. They attract ladybugs and lacewings that eat aphids. Water the soil, never the leaves. Healthy, strong plants—well planted, well fed—are naturally more resilient.
Another question?
We answer all your questions about roses, planting, and care. Send a message — we respond within 24–48 hours.