How to Grow Roses

The thirteenth edition, 1920, by the president of the American Rose Society — including his month-by-month calendar of everything a rose wants done to it.

Introduction

18 chapters in this part of How to Grow Roses.

Introduction

Staking the Roses Labeling Plotting Mulching PROTECTING THE ROSES From Frost From Enemies PRUNING How to Use This Pruning Information Own…

Introduction: Roses

ROSES ARRANGED IN CLASSES INDEX 6 9 14 14 15 16 17 18 20 22 22 24 25 26 26 29 31 34 36 37 39 41 43 64 77 J. A. Currey 77 Theodore Wirth 79…

Introduction: Queen of Flowers

Since history was first written the rose has been associated with the most important events in the life of man. For centuries it has been…

Introduction: Hybrid Perpetual

May 25. Now starts the season's procession of bloom, led by the sturdy Rugosas and the Yellow Briar roses. Start feeding the Hybrid…

Calendar of Operations

July 4.-Gather all the flowers you can; it is not best for the plants to have them die on the bushes. You should now be reaping a full…

Choosing the Location

Where to Plant Roses Several available spaces for the rose-bed are usually to be found on the average home-grounds. The author has had the…

Choosing the Location: Hybrid Perpetuals

Some varieties, as for example the Rugosas and the "rose species," serve a very useful purpose when planted among the shrubbery. Many other…

Choosing the Location: New England

Note the avenue effect produced by the double row of Standard or Tree roses on either side of the walk, set from 4 to 10 feet apart. They…

Preparing the Beds

Soils The good loam so often found directly beneath the sod is excellent, but is greatly improved by being broken, even pulverized, to a…

Preparing the Beds: The Hybrid Perpetuals

Not all roses like the same soils. The Hybrid Perpetuals, for example, love a heavy clay or loam. So do the heaviergrowing climbers…

Preparing the Beds: Rose-growing

Too deep Too shallow, and Just right Right, and banked set wrong for winter For splendor, beauty and impressiveness the red Rose stands…

Preparing the Beds: Printed Wooden Labels Plain

Copper Labels These are made of light sheet copper, eyeleted and wired ready to use as soon as the name of the plant is inscribed. The…

Preparing the Beds: The Mann Plant Label

Club Label The best of wooden labels must be sometimes renewed. A more permanent type we call the Garden Club Label. It is a triangular…

Protecting the Roses

"It will be seen by the method of winter-protection herein described that our aim was to prevent, if possible, thawing after frost had set…

Protecting the Roses: Teas and Hybrid Teas

Pruning If you have bought two- or three-year-old plants, cut them back rather severely at the time of planting-to three or four buds on…

Protecting the Roses: Climbing and Pillar

Climbing and Pillar roses need be cut back but onethird to one-fifth, and on old, well-established plants, the old, enfeebled wood should…

Protecting the Roses: Pruning

In autumn extra-long canes will need to be cut back a little, and perhaps tied to a stake or support, to prevent swaying and the consequent…

Protecting the Roses: Method

Ex. Method to use to produce exhibition specimens or large flowers.

Rights & ReuseThe complete text of How to Grow Roses (1920) is in the public domain in the United States — like all works published before 1928 — and is free to read, download, quote, teach from, and reuse. This digital edition (its transcription, restored images, and site design) is © 2026 PhotoOpAI, and any editorial commentary we add is clearly marked as ours; the underlying public-domain text carries no such restriction.