Questions On Deck Gardening

15 years ago

A little background info first.

I used to be rather serious about growing roses a few years ago, until two unrelated knee injuries made it increasingly difficult to make it enjoyable enough to continue with. My roses, alas, went into decline due to my husband not wanting to pay attention to my instructions/advice and I finally just threw up my hands, let him have his way and pretty much ignored the whole affair.

Currently, I've moved to an apartment in a neighboring town due to life changes. While I've lost a backyard, I do have the luxuary of having a rather large deck off of the back of the apartment. As large as the bedroom, in fact. Very sunny, very private, however on the 2nd floor of a two story building.

I'd like to attempt growing some roses in pots, possibly putting up some trellising along the concrete wall which faces the sunniest area. I'm somewhat concerned about it being so high up. It is windier up there than the ground, so I'm aware that dehydration may be an issue. However, it's also well protected on each side by fencing/walls, so maybe it won't be too bad.

I'd like some suggestions on which types of roses would be best suited for this type of location. I'm thinking about sticking with old roses, like the David Austins because I had very good luck with them in the past, adore strongly scented roses and they have low maintenance for the most part. The thorn issues they have don't put me off. I also like how they look in the vase, that old-fashioned look.

Feel free to give any and all advice. It's been so long since I've really sunk myself into this, I could use a refresher in everything.

Laurie

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Comments (5)

chuck_billie
15 years ago
I'd plant some smaller varieties of good smelling ones in pots but I wouldn't attempt the trellis thing in a rental unit for several reasons.
I think Austins and OGRs would be grand and if you picked the smaller varieties you could have more Roses.
I don't know of any reason a second story garden wouldn't work so go for it.
As for the wind I'll bet it won't hurt a thing.
Good luck
buford
15 years ago
I have two Glamis Castles in pots in my front yard. They are both own root. I let them bloom, then cut them back to about 12 inches and start again. That way they never get too big for the pot. My climate is mild enough that I can leave the pots out all winter and they do fine. I haven't re-potted them yet, this will be their 3rd year, so maybe next fall.

I'm sure there are other varieties that will do well in pots, and if you go on the DA website or have their catalog, they have a 'roses for pots' category.
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Wow...so much good info still coming in. Thanks :) I am going to add some buzzing friends to the mix. I have purchased, and will be making more, Mason Bee houses. Plan to put them around the deck and see if they can help with pollination a little (hopefully a lot). I won't be discouraged if things don't work out. I have been planting tomatoes in two gallon clay pots, sitting in the driveway, for three years now and they do fine. If my deck project fails, I'll go back to that. The deck is treated, and hopefully I'll do it again before I set up the deck garden this spring. I have a hot tub sunken into the deck in one corner, but I don't use it anymore. I plan to build a box over the cover and set planters on top of that. I'll do some before and after pictures and post them when I get a chance. Brody
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
15 years ago
Try a couple and see how they do. They may be better off two stories up than in the ground, may have less disease--you never know. Zone 6, you might need to put the pots somewhere out of the cold for the winter. The soil in pots will get much colder than the soil in the ground.
anntn6b
15 years ago
Hi, Laurie,
Welcome back to roses.
I can think of a couple of things that might help. Several years ago, the District Director of Buckeye District was working to see what roses she could recommend for pot culture (and some she couldn't). She found an aerosol spray/fungicide that controlled Black Spot very well. Her name is Terri Lady and if I were you, I'd contact her through the Buckeye District to see what she recommends.
For dryness, I use water retaining granules in my potting mix; they give me wiggle room when I don't realize how dry the world has become.
How cold will your patio be? Colder than ground level.

And is the patio concrete or wood? IF it's wood, you'll need to elevate the pot and saucer above the wood. We had a place in the French Quarter in New Orleans and pots sitting directly on wood are a sure way to get the wood to rot. In NJ it wouldn't happen in one year (as it did in New Orleans, even on treated wood), but your landlord would be happier with pots elevated eiter with pot lifts or with pots on saucers with wheels. (Plants have better form if they can be rotated, as well.)
harlane1
15 years ago
Laurie
Roses do great in pots on our patio here in central New Jersey. We have used Miniature and miniflora varieties because the don't turn into great big monsters. They are always in bloom and some carry a lot of fragrance. I don't know where in NJ you are but If you are not too far from me, I would be happy to give you some plants. Last year Greenheart Farms (Nor-East miniature roses) introduced 6 of my Minifloras and they were sold exclusively as PICKABLE PATIO ROSES. I would love to get you started in roses once again.
Frank B

Questions On Deck Gardening

Comments (5)

chuck_billie

buford

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