Shakespeare mentioned roses at least sixty times. England's fascination with roses continues today, as manifested by the white rose becoming the symbol for the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Rosa rugosa will grow in almost any kind of soil, although it likes well-drained loamy soil best. As the common names saltspray rose and beach tomato imply, Rosa rugosa will grow on sandy beaches near the ocean. However, all roses, including Rosa rugosa, need full sun.
Roses are heavy feeders, meaning they take a lot of nutrients out of the soil.
Consequently, to ensure the health of your roses and that of your soil, it is important to generously enrich the soil around your roses with natural fertilizers. A company called Espoma makes an organic fertilizer called Rose Tone that doesn't contain high salt levels, so it is safe for the environment. Roses enjoy a little extra phosphorus, which promotes flowering. Bone meal is an excellent natural source of phosphorus. Potassium will help your roses become more disease resistant.