The play of light and shadow makes itCharm of a gardenout of. The sunny places are less problematic because many plants thrive there. However, the partially shaded and shady niches and corners represent a major challenge when planting. The clever selection of varieties plays a decisive role in the final result. Roses are therefore out of the question for many hobby gardeners. It's true that most varieties grow best in full sun. But there are also roses for partial shade that thrive in shady locations and, if cared for properly, will thank you with a splendor of flowers.
Which roses are suitable for partial shade?
In contrast to other plants that prefer a sunny place in the garden, theRoses are true sun worshipers, which are only partially tolerant of shade. This means that they thrive in partially shaded places as long as the soil is nutrient-rich and permeable. How much sunlight they get per day is also important. Typically, 5 to 6 hours of afternoon sun or 4 to 5 hours of morning sun is enough for most shade-tolerant rose varieties to grow quickly and bloom for a long time. If the sun shines for less than 4 hours throughout the day, the roses become sick, grow much more slowly and produce fewer flowers.
The choice of planting partners also plays a crucial role. Roses are not particularly adaptable and are quickly crowded out by other plants. Therefore, root competition must be avoided at all costs. Roses feel above allalong with ground cover plants, annual plants and bulb flowers. Strong-rooted plants such as garden trees, shrubs and tall perennials will quickly extract nutrients from the soil and are therefore not suitable as planting partners.
Which roses tolerate partial shade?
Low roses,Climbing and rambler rosesand roses in containers basically have a better chance of survival than tall perennials or English roses. As potted plants, roses feel particularly comfortable in shady locations. This is because soil moisture can be regulated. This avoids waterlogging, which can lead to rot. If the leaves of the plants remain wet overnight, they can wilt quickly. Even roses that tolerate shade cannot tolerate high humidity. So if you plant roses in partial shade, you should choose the location carefully.
- Good air circulation is very important so that the rose can dry quickly after rain.
- Ensure low humidity and, if possible, protection from rain (for example with a high fence or a garden wall).
- A nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil is an absolute must. If necessary, you can fertilize the roses once a week during the flowering period.
- Avoid root competition from tall trees.
Which roses bloom in light shade?
All roses that tolerate partial shade will produce blooms in summer. Depending on whether the location meets the other conditions, the plant can even bloom all summer long. However, the young plants take longer than usual to become fully established. Depending on the variety, it can take 2 to 3 years for the rose to produce its first flowers. During the growing season, the plant needs to be regularly supplied with fertilizer. Regular watering can also stimulate flower formation.
However, there are also rose varieties that many hobby gardeners mistakenly believe to be shade tolerant. But in fact, these rose varieties are true children of the sun and cannot thrive in partial shade. These are, for example:
- The rose “Camelot” is not suitable for partial shade
- The rose “Mozart” is not suitable for partial shade
Roses for partial shade: more often flowering varieties
Below we list more frequently blooming rose varieties that thrive in partial shade. Most roses bloom twice a year. We have divided them into several groups - roses for containers, low varieties for the flower bed, rambler roses and ground cover roses.
Roses for containers in partial shade
Which types of roses are suitable for planting in containers? First and foremost are the “Knock Out” roses, which are very flowery. But you can plant almost any low rose variety in a container. For example:
The “Black Forest” varietyis a compact floribunda rose that produces double red flowers. It scores with high leaf health and reaches a maximum height of 60 cm in partial shade. The flowering period begins in June and ends in September.
The “Cherry Girl” varietywas awarded ADR Rose. It has an intense scent that attracts pollinating insects. Its cherry-red flowers decorate the garden from early summer to autumn.
Low roses for partial shade
The “Ice Meidiland” varietyreaches a maximum height of 60 cm. The low rose has extensive coverage and is perfect for hillside gardens that are in partial shade for half the day. To ensure that the rose thrives better on such a property, the experts recommend terracing. Otherwise, the rose is very easy to care for and has a high level of pest resistance.
The English rose “Fair Bianca”has large double white flowers that delight the eye in mid-summer and then in autumn. It is very adaptable and can easily tolerate frost and heat. The rose reaches a height of 60 cm.
Ground cover roses for partial shade
The ground cover rose “Ballerina”was bred from the tufted rose. It prefers humus-rich soil and requires regular fertilization. The ground cover rose produces countless pink-white flowers from June to September. It is particularly suitable as a gap filler in the flower bed, as a partner to hedge plants or for planting on stone walls.
The rose “Starflower”is particularly suitable for partial shade. The ground cover rose not only impresses with its delicate white flowers, but also exudes a sweet scent that attracts bees and bumblebees to the garden. The plant grows to a height of around 60 cm, is hardy and has a bushy habit. It is particularly suitable as a replacement for lawns in shady areas or for greening shady embankments.
Roses with a standard trunk for partial shade
Die “Knock Out” Rosenwith standard stems are very popular. With a good reason: they are perhaps the easiest breed to care for. They defy dry soil, tolerate partial shade well and bloom twice a year - once at the beginning of summer and once at the end of summer. They have a compact habit but can grow up to 1.20 meters high. In the garden they are mainly used as an accent in the flower bed or in shady corners and niches.
The short version, theSort of “Little Knock Out”,grows up to 60 cm high and produces abundant red flowers.
Bed roses for partial shade
The floribunda rose “Anthony Meilland”produces double, dark yellow flowers that will make the bed shine in partial shade. It is very flowery and has an upright, bushy habit. It is therefore perfect as a bed border, for planting under hedges and as a bed rose. In full sun it grows to a height of one meter, in partial shade it grows into a 60 cm high shrub.
With its creamy white flowers it isFloribunda “Greetings to Aachen”a real eye-catcher in the home garden. It has an upright, bushy habit and grows to a height of around 80 cm. The variety tolerates pruning and is therefore suitable as an underplant for hedges. As a soloist, she sets accents in the flowerbed.
Climbing roses and rambler roses for partial shade
The climbing rose “Compassion”produces pink, double flowers from June to the end of October. The plant prefers humus-rich, loose and moderately moist soil and is suitable for use as a solitary plant or for planting rose arches in the shade (for example in front of a garden wall or a house wall). It reaches a maximum height of 250 cm.
The Rose “Giardina”also grows well in partial shade, where it spreads its typical fruity, sweet scent. The variety scores with a very long flowering period, which extends from summer to autumn. It is disease resistant and is rarely attacked by pests. The flowering climbing rose prefers fresh, deep soil with good drainage.
Shrub and bush roses for partial shade
The Varieties “Carefree Wonder”is, as the name suggests, very easy to care for and adaptable. Both the leafy green and the delicate flowers automatically attract attention. The rose variety can easily cope with a location in partial shade and only needs 5 hours of direct sunlight daily.
The “Radazz” varietyis very disease resistant and requires very little care. It can tolerate both drought and waterlogging well. In contrast to other rose varieties, it can even cope with high humidity. The shrub rose is also very flowery and can set accents in the flower bed or spice up bare spots in the garden as a solitary plant. It grows to 1.5 meters high.
English roses for partial shade
The term “English roses” primarily refers to new breeds of old roses and modern hybrids. They bring a romantic touch from bygone times to the garden.
The “Pilgrim” varietytolerates partial shade without any problems. Four hours of direct sunlight a day is enough for the rose to feel comfortable. She thanks you with magnificent, white, double flowers and a strong scent.
Die Sorte “Crown Princes Margareta”has orange flowers and a fruity scent. It has slightly overhanging shoots and is suitable both as a climbing plant and as a shrub. If cared for properly, the rose can grow to be over three meters tall.
Companion for roses in partial shade
To ensure that the roses show their best side, the planting partners in the flower bed also play a crucial role. Which plants are the perfect companions for roses in partial shade?
1. Roses in a bucketcan be combined with other shade-loving plants as desired. In this case, there are no limits to your own creativity as there is no root competition between the plants.
2. Low rose varietiesYou can combine it with irises or delphiniums.
3.The lady's mantle is the perfect companionGround cover roses.It has similar requirements for soil and location.
4. Standard stem roseslook particularly good together with geraniums.
5. Floribunda roses and phloxform an attractive duo in the flower bed.
6. For climbing rosesClematis is ideal. Certain ornamental grasses such as the palm frond sedge or the Japanese sedge are also suitable for a location in partial shade.
7. Shrub and bush rosesharmonize particularly well with purple bells, hostas and crabgrass.
8. English rosescan be effectively staged with hostas.
Are the roses true sun worshipers? Not true. Today there is a wide range of varieties available, including some that thrive in partial shade. Important prerequisites for a long flowering period include moderately moist, nutrient-rich soil, low humidity, good drafts and the right planting partners.
