How to plant a bare root climbing rose


By following these simple steps, you will ensure your bare root climbing rose gets off to the best possible start.

Our videos are filmed in the UK, and so some of the season timings mentioned will apply to the UK and some of the products featured won't be available in Australia. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions, or contact your local stockist.

WHERE TO PLANT A BARE ROOT climbing ROSE

 We recommend following these guidelines:

  • Make sure the rose has some sun, ideally at least 4 hours of sunlight a day.
  • Generally, the more sun the better. However, in the hottest areas, shade from the afternoon sun can be beneficial.
  • Ensure the rose has enough space, so that the roots do not suffer from intense competition from neighbouring plants, including trees and hedges.


WHEN TO PLANT BARE ROOT ROSES

Bare root roses are best planted between May and September during the bare root season (depending on region and supplier). This gives them time to establish ready to bloom come summer. The only time we recommend that you don't plant is when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions.

YOU WILL NEED

  • SPADE
  • FORK
  • WATERING CAN
  • LARGE BUCKET OF WATER
  • WELL-ROTTED MANURE
  • How to plant a bare root shrub rose

    Follow our step-by-step guide on how to plant a bare root shrub rose.

    Step 1: Rehydrate your rose

    Rehydrate your bare root rose in a bucket of water for a minimum of 2 hours prior to planting.

    Step 2: Prepare the soil

    Dig over the soil thoroughly, using the garden fork, and remove any weeds or large stones. This will ensure that the new roots can venture freely in their new environment. Roses will grow in all soil types.

    Step 3: Dig the hole

    Using a spade, dig a hole that is wide enough and deep enough to hold the rose’s root mass. This should be approximately 40cm wide x 40cm deep.

    Step 4: Break the soil at the base of your hole

    Using a fork, break up the soil at the base of the hole. This will allow the roots to go deeper into the soil.

    Step 5: Add well-rotted manure

    Mix a small spadeful of well-rotted farmyard manure with the soil in the bottom of the hole. This will add vital nutrients to the soil helping the rose to establish more effectively.

    Step 6: Position your rose in the hole

    Position the rose in the centre of the hole with the stems pointing towards the wall or supporting structure and with the roots away, at a 45 degree angle. Place a bamboo cane horizontally across the top of the hole to judge if the planting depth is correct. We recommend that the graft union, which is the swollen area between the roots and the stems, should be just below the bamboo cane, to protect the roots and give better stability, but local advice may differ.

    Step 7: Backfill soil & firm-in

    Fill in and around the roots of the rose using the soil that was originally dug to make the hole. Then, lightly firm the soil around the rose with your foot.

    Step 8: Water

    Water the rose well after planting.


    More rose care advice