How to plant a rose in a pot
Roses are excellent plants for growing in pots. English Roses, with their shrubby, bushy habit are ideal for growing in large pots and containers. Unlike many other potted plants, English Roses will flower in fragrant flushes throughout the summer and into the autumn.
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.
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HOW TO PLANT A POTTED ROSE IN A POT OR CONTAINER
Watch our video on
HOW TO PLANT A BARE ROOT ROSE IN A POT
WHEN TO PLANT ROSES
Bare root roses are best planted between May and September, depending on region and supplier. This gives them time to establish ready to bloom come summer. Potted roses can be planted all year round. The only time we recommend that you don't plant is when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions.
YOU WILL NEED
HOW TO PLANT A POTTED ROSE IN A POT
Step 1: Prepare your pot for planting
Start by placing blocks of polystyrene at the bottom of your pot; these will help the rose to drain adequately throughout the season. Next, begin to fill your pot with multi-purpose compost. As you fill the pot it’s important to use your hand to lightly press the compost so that you don’t get any air pockets. Carry on filling your pot until it is approximately halfway full.
Step 2: Position your rose in the pot
At this point it is important to check that your rose will fit nicely into the pot. Place your potted rose into the pot and note the difference in height between the rim of the pot and the union of your rose. We recommend burying the bud union to protect the roots and give better stability, but local advice may differ. Ideally, we’d like to see the union sitting a couple of inches below the rim of the pot.
Step 3: Fill-in around your rose with compost
Next, remove the rose from its container, ensuring you are wearing gardening gloves. We recommend tapping the sides of the pot which should ease the rose gently out, leaving the root structure undisturbed. Place your rose into the centre of the pot and continue to fill with your compost mix, firming the soil as you go.
Step 4: Water your rose
Finally, give your newly planted rose a thorough watering, allowing moisture to penetrate the soil and roots.
Gardeners Tip
Roses in pots will require more frequent watering than roses planted in the ground.