Can roses grow in heavy clay soil?

I keep hearing that roses can grow in heavy clay soil from doing some research on-line, but I'm skeptical. Here is what I have:





Soil - Clay


Moisture - Moist


Ph - 6.7 - 7.0


Zone - 8


Drainage - Poor to Fair





Plant success in current soil - Daylilies, Peonies, and Asters


Plant failures - Texas Sage





Is it possible to grow roses in clay? I am not too sold on ammending my soil because I have established plants in my garden now and I don't want to upset their balance by dig a giant hole to ammend soil.

Can roses grow in heavy clay soil?
Yes, Roses can grow well in heavy clay type soil. You can improve the moisture capability by adding ordinary sand into this area. Purpose of adding sand into clay soil is that it prevent frequent bricking of the soil and it prevents too much nitrogen escaping from those gaps. You might have to mix the soil atleast once a week thoroughly for better results.





The other idea is to put green leaves of some tree(which may not attract insect while decomposing like Azadirachta indica) into this area - this may provide you slow decomposing fertilizer and prevent bricking by bonding.





I have succesfuly grown roses in pure clay soil under extensive heat by adding sand, decomposing leaves. Actually, my dog died and we buried her near my lawn - she was very special - at that time I had only clay to cover the dig - later I planned to plant Gardenia, Rose, Jasmine - Rose %26amp; Jasmine grew up without any problem except Gardenia





So you dont have dig any part of your lawn - just add sand and you will have Roses !!!!!!!!





Please check the following links for clay soil care and plants for it.





http://gardening.about.com/od/gardendesi...





http://www.ehow.com/how_16885_water-clay...
Reply:Why not build raised beds or planter boxes to elevate your roses 8 to 12 inches above the clay layer? That way, you can improve the soil and the drainage at the same time. It will minimize weed growth and greatly improve the appearance of your rose garden.





Use some 2x8, 2x10 or 2x12 redwood or cedar boards to frame your rose bed. Dig the clay soil about 6 to 12 inches deep, and add some compost or other amendments to improve the foundation. Then fill your rose box with high quality topsoil and plant your roses. Water well and fertilize monthly during the growing season with fish emulsion per the directions.
Reply:It depends on the type of Rose %26amp; of course is it red clay? There are many wild Rose's that can grow in odd place's %26amp; need little care, however I believe I would buy some top soil for starters if it was me. Have a nice day. Mimi
Reply:i dont think they can i would dig a huge hole and add better dirt like topsoil or you could just build a raised bed and plant roses in it then you can make the soil perfect for your roses
Reply:All we have is clay here, and roses do great. We dig the hole out much deeper and wider than the roots. (much wider like 2 feet in diameter at least). Fill around rose with compost or potting soil. It will get going and dig into the clay just fine.
Reply:The clay itself is OK, but the drainage might be a problem . Try a couple %26amp; find out . Also try this . Dig down ~ 1/3 as deep as you need for the whole root ball . Then mound soil /compost/manure ( whatever you are using, but some manure is very good for 'em) around it the rest of the way . See what works out better . Don't dig a hole in the clay and fill it with a different type of soil , esp. if the site is level. You get what's known as the "Bathtub Effect" . Water CAN move more readily through the amended soil, ...so it does. You can actually end up concentrating water in the hole .





ps . (this applies to roses in any situation ) If any of the roses should happen to die , remember rule of 3 . ( 3yrs or 3ft. or 3 cu. ft) Rose roots give off some chemical(s) that will kill any subsequent roses. Nobody knows yet, quite how it works, but it does . I've seen a lot of dead roses , %26amp; once I heard that, at least half were explained by it. If a rose dies , you need to wait 3 yrs, replace the soil for 3 ft in every direction, or plant the new one at least 3 ft away . Got this info from a knowledgeable source who got it from Adrian Bloom (Blooms of Bressingham) %26amp; a couple other growers, so trust it completely . Mention this because it's fairly recent , %26amp; not in wide circulation .
Reply:we have the same environment here, i think, in the Philippines as you mention the qualities of your soil. it would grow as normal and as easy. just dug the whole and plant it.
Reply:yes they can just remember they like good drainage and you need to put a few rocks in the hole you are digging for them .put the rocks at the bottom and then fill with water and then plant and then finish with the soil . good luck .
Reply:just dig the hole as big or a little bit bigger then the root ball and ammend it! they will certainly die in clay soil! i've tried it. so far i've planted and dug back up my new roses about 6 times this year and they're just now starting to do good!

horns