The Right Way To Plant Rose Bushes So They Thrive For Years

When you buy a rose bush, it probably looks nothing like the beautiful, lush flowering plant you imagine growing in your garden. Regardless of the variety of rose bush (and there are oh-so-many options) you choose, roses are often sold bare-root, wrapped in plastic, and packed in sawdust,

It requires some planning and preparations to turn a rose plant that resembles nothing more than a thorny stick into a thriving rose bush that blooms year after year. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from the right timing and selecting a suitable spot to preparing a proper home for your rose bushes.

Create The Right Conditions For Growing Roses

Time It Right

As excited as we are to get out and dig in the garden at the first hint of warmer weather, we must practice restraint. Plant rose bushes in the spring when temperatures are between 40ºF and 60ºF and when all chances of freezing temperatures have passed. This can be any time from February to early May, depending on your climate. This timing will allow the plant to form strong roots before the full heat of the summer hits.

While fall planting is recommended for many perennials in the South, roses are usually planted in the spring, to give them plenty of time to get established before the winter cold hits. This especially applies to bare-root roses.

In a frost-free climate year-round (USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11), you can plant roses in the fall. Container-grown roses also may be planted in the fall, as long as they won’t face extreme heat and have several weeks to settle in before the first frost.

Seek Sunshine

Fortunately, for those of us living in the sunny South, roses love sunshine. Choose a planting site with at least six or more hours of full sun. But even sun-hungry roses have their limits. If you live in an area with sweltering heat and limited rainfall, plant your roses in a location with some afternoon shade.

Choose a site protected from strong winds. When planting a rose bush in a location with afternoon shade, avoid planting roses under trees, which may provide too much shade and cause damage from falling branches.

Maintain Proper Spacing

Roses are prone to fungal diseases such as black spots and powdery mildew. Providing ample airflow around your plants helps prevent the spread of pathogens.

Regardless of whether you are planting a single rose bush or an entire rose garden, consider the mature size of the rose you are planting. Some rose bushes can grow as large as 8 feet wide and should be provided with more space. As a general rule, plant roses at least 3 feet from other plants to avoid competition for water and soil nutrients.

What You’ll Need

• Garden gloves
• Shovel
• Compost
• Mulch
• Lime, sulfur, and/or bone meal or superphosphate (optional)

How To Plant Rose Bushes

Step 1: Prepare The Soil

Roses should be planted in native soil, but if the soil is not ideal, you will need to do some work before planting. Excellent drainage is very important. If your soil is sandy or heavy clay, spread 2 to 4 inches of compost or other organic matter over the wider planting area and mix it thoroughly into the soil at a depth of 12 inches.

It is also a good idea to have your soil tested in advance to see if the pH is within the optimum range for growing roses (6.5-7) or whether it needs soil additives such as lime, sulfur, bone meal, or superphosphate.

Once the soil is in good shape, dig a hole slightly wider but equally deep to the root ball of the rose.

Step 2: Prepare The Rose

First, it’s important to protect your hands and arms with a pair of gardening gloves.

If your rose came in a container, gently remove it from the pot, grip the plant by the base, invert the container, and gently pull it out. You may need to wiggle the plant a bit to loosen some roots from the pot’s bottom.

If your rose is bare-root, unpackage the roots and inspect them. Clip away any roots that are broken or soft with rot. Place them in a bucket and fill it with lukewarm water so that the roots (not the canes) are fully immersed. Soak them for about 12 hours before planting to rehydrate them.

Step 3: Plant The Rose

For container-grown roses, place the root ball in the hole, setting the plant just above the soil line. Gently pull apart the root ball in the planting hole and start filling it with soil. Water the soil after a few inches to help it settle. Continue filling the hole and gently pat the soil down over the root zone to compact it slightly. The plant should settle slightly after planting.

For bare-root roses, make a mound in the center of the hole, using a mixture of the native soil and compost. Make the mound high enough so that when you place the rose bush on top of it, the knobby graft union is barely below the soil level. Spread the roots down the sides of the mound. Begin filling the hole with soil, keeping the roots as spread out as possible.

Care After Planting

• Mulch: Water deeply and add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base of the rose bush and over the root zone. Make sure the mulch doesn’t come into contact with the stem.
• Water: To get the plant established, water new roses every other day, especially in dry weather. You will know the rose has acclimated when it starts to send out new growth. Even after you see new growth, continue to water your rose every week to encourage a deep root system. Continue watering until the ground is frozen. In frost-free climates, water the rose all winter during dry weather.
• Fertilizer: When the rose starts to leaf out in spring, about six weeks after planting, apply a special granular rose fertilizer or a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10. Fertilize again after each flush of blooms or about every six weeks throughout the growing season. Stop fertilizing about six weeks before your first frost date.