Roses are a timeless flower, representing love and beauty. There are more than 150 types of roses, including many garden varieties such as shrub roses, climbing roses and modern garden roses.

"Rose gardens are very appealing because they offer a timeless beauty and an effortless elegance," says master gardener Jen Stark, founder of HappyDIYHome.com.

There are two major types of roses: Cut roses that grow one bloom per long stem, which require regular maintenance; and floribunda roses, which grow in clusters with many blooms and are low-maintenance. Experts says it's ideal to have both types of roses for flower arrangements.

*Water Wisdom

"The most common reason plants fail to thrive is a lack of water," say gardening experts Jeff and Kelly Gordon of Daisy Rain Garden Systems.

While roses are hardy and can survive well in a variety of conditions, water is essential.

"Ideally, your roses will need at least an inch of water throughout the growing season, and you should water around the soil line instead of overhead because roses are prone to fungal diseases," says Stark, who cautions gardeners not to wet the leaves, which can reduce the chances of the roses developing powdery mildew or black spots.

She advises fertilizing roses in the spring, followed by a layer of mulch to lock in moisture and keep the roots cool.

Lindsey Hyland, founder of UrbanOrganicYield.com, advises finding the right balance of water to give your roses: "Excessively wet soil creates conditions that are both uncomfortable for your gardeners and unhealthy for your plants, while too-dry earth will kill your roses," she says.

According to Hyland, there are two periods in the year when the water needs of rose gardens are greatest: In springtime, just after new growth has started when you should water regularly for a week; and then again before winter sets, when you should provide long soakings of two to three hours of deep watering. The rest of the time, simply irrigate by hand at least twice a week, and only allow water to accumulate on the surface.

*Pots

Consider planting some or all of your roses in flowerpots since you can move them around as needed. Make sure the pot is adequate to handle the growing roots. Use a pot that's at least five gallons.

Then at the end of the growing season, shelter potted roses inside for the winter. "Wait for the first frost of the season and then move the pots indoors to a garage or shed," say the Gordons. "Don't keep them in a heated location, or the heat will prevent them from going dormant."

Water the pots once or twice over the winter. Then, when spring arrives, move the potted roses back outside.

*Pruning

Pruning is important for the success of your roses. Prune them after they flower; this promotes new growth.

When roses go dormant at the end of each season, trim them back significantly. The Gordons suggest cutting roses down to 18-24 inches in height, regardless of the age of the plant.

"Shaping the plant for even growth should always play a part," they say. "As a rule, keep the growth vertical and not all growing to the center. Always cut off any blooms that have peaked; the more you cut the more blooms you'll get."

*Rose Garden Tips:

-- Make sure roses are planted in dry, sunny places for optimal growth.

-- Inspect roses regularly for fungus and pests such as aphids.

-- Avoid plant food that has large amounts of nitrogen. "Plants need phosphorus and potassium for flower production, not nitrogen, which promotes green leafy growth," says Hyland.

-- Add compost to the soil yearly.

-- When planting rose bushes, space them three or more feet apart so they have room to grow without intruding in the other plant's space.