Many rose gardeners don’t have the luxury of a large yard they can use for gardening. While this can be a bit discouraging to a prospective rose gardener, you can have a stunning rose garden on a sunny patio or apartment balcony. Several simple tips can make your small, yet beautiful, rose garden a success.

First you’ll want to ensure the area you’re considering has six hours of sun each day. If your whole patio or balcony is in full sun you can create a rose garden throughout your entire outdoor space. If your space receives some shade, check regularly throughout the day for the corner or side that receives enough full sun. Usually there is at least a small area you can squeeze one rose plant into.

What type of rose are you looking for? If you have the room selecting a variety of sizes and types creates a full and interesting look. Select a few miniature roses for smaller pots. Miniature roses come in all colors. Since miniature roses are smaller in scale, adding several of these plants helps to add visual interest. Full sized roses can be added assuming you check their mature size first. Examine the rose’s tag when you make your purchase. Try to select roses that don’t reach over three or four feet once mature. This will be an appropriate sized bush to work with in a pot. You can select a small climbing rose if you’re able to provide the support of either a railing or trellis. You’ll want to select a climber that doesn’t reach more than about eight feet. A larger rose will be too difficult to train in a small space.

The containers you select for your new rose plants are of the utmost importance. The general rule is the larger the container the better. If you’ve selected a miniature rose for your garden then you’ll be able to use a container that is a minimum of twelve to fifteen inches wide. If you’ve selected a larger rose then you’ll want to search for a half barrel or barrel sized planter for your rose. Planters constructed from every type of material are available and can be chosen based on the look you’re trying to achieve. Most garden centers carry planters created from wood, clay and plastic. Don’t necessarily turn your nose up at the plastic pots. Today it’s possible to find plastic pots that look quite a bit like clay. Lightweight plastic can be a huge plus when you want to move or rotate your pot. Nothing is worse than trying to move a gigantic extremely heavy clay pot that’s also full of soil, water and a huge thorny rose!

Rose gardening in the city can be just as rewarding as in the country. The key is to form a gardening plan that includes a variety of rose types and sizes. Your smaller space gives you the bonus of spending less time watering and weeding and more time smelling the roses. Why not start creating your rose garden oasis today?