How to Help Your Roses Survive the Summer Heat: 9 Essential Tips.

Roses are the queens of the garden, but when they’re in bloom, they really steal the show. But if you live in a warm climate like Arizona’s low desert regions, you know how quickly things can go downhill once summer hits.

The good news? With the right care, your roses can survive the heat of summer and come back with beautiful blooms in the fall.

Hi, I’m Angela from Garden Growers in Mesa, Arizona, and I’m sharing my best step-by-step tips to 

help your roses beat the heat and bloom year after year, even in the hottest conditions.

Tip 1: Choose heat-loving rose varieties.

Success starts with the right rose. Some varieties naturally perform better in hot climates. In my garden, I grow:

Iceberg

Sunbelt series (e.g., Savannah, South Africa)

Madame Annette

Emily Bronte

Queen of Sweden

Perfume Bliss

Moonlight in Paris

Mother of Pearl

Coco Loco

Mr. Lincoln

Memorial Day

Eden Climber

James Galloway

These heat-tolerant roses handle desert summers far better than others.

Tip 2: Plant roses at the right time.

Timing is key in hot climates. Plant too late, and your roses won’t establish strong roots before the heat.

Container-grown roses: Plant between November and March.

The roots of roses in December or January.

When temperatures rise, alyssum naturally dies back - a sign that it's time to remove it and mulch your roses.

Tip 4: Mulch your roses well.

Mulch is non-negotiable in the heat of summer.

Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to help:

Cool the soil.

Retain moisture

Regulate soil temperature.

I use a two-layer method:

1. Compost (feeds the plant)

2. Wood chips (protects the soil)

Always mulch 1-2 inches away from the trunk to prevent rot and pests.

Tip 5: Water deeply and infrequently

Roses need a lot of water, but how you water them makes all the difference.

Avoid shallow watering every day.

Deep roots help roses survive scorching weather.

During heat waves, check your soil moisture regularly and add water if needed.

Tip 6: Don’t prune during the summer.

Pruning encourages new growth, and this is the last thing your roses need in the heat of summer.

Major pruning: Early spring.

Light shaping: Wait until fall.

Summer deadheading: Gently cut off the blooms below the bud, but don’t cut back to the five-leaf cluster (which encourages new shoots).

This method removes spent blooms without forcing the plant to grow too much during a stressful time.

Tip 7: Fertilize roses before summer.

Provide your roses with nutrients before summer arrives.

Once temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C), roses can’t absorb nutrients as effectively. Instead of fertilizing in midsummer:

Fertilize in the spring.

Use organic options like rose tone or fish emulsion.

Tip 8: Feed the soil, not just the plant

Healthy soil = healthy plants.

Add compost when you mulch.

Use vermicomposting bins in raised beds to keep the soil biologically active.

Even if the worms slow down in the heat, the food particles will still break down and enrich your soil, helping your roses stay strong.

If you still want to fertilize in the summer, apply a light organic fertilizer and water well before and after.

Tip 9: Don’t expect perfection in the summer.

Here’s the truth: Your roses won’t look their best in the summer—and that’s okay.

Leaves may turn dull or yellow.

Flowering may slow or stop.

Think of summer as their off-season, just as winter is for roses in cold climates. Let them rest. Focus on keeping them alive and healthy, not pretty.

In the fall, as temperatures drop, your roses will bounce back, and you will be rewarded with beautiful blooms once again.

Final Thoughts

Roses can thrive in warm climates like Arizona with the right care. Give them a head start in the spring, support them through the summer, and enjoy their beauty in the fall.