Rose Care
How to Plant a Rose Bush
Get planting right and a rose will reward you for decades. Whether bare-root or potted, the essentials are the same: sun, drainage, and the correct planting depth.
When and where to plant
Plant bare-root roses while they are dormant, in late winter or early spring; container roses can go in almost any time the ground is workable. Choose a site with at least six hours of direct sun, good air movement, and well-drained soil — roses hate wet feet.
Bare-root tip: Soak bare-root roses in a bucket of water for several hours before planting to rehydrate the roots.
How to plant, step by step
- Dig a generous hole. Make it about 18 inches wide and deep, loosening the sides so roots can penetrate.
- Improve the soil. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure with the excavated soil.
- Form a cone and set the rose. For bare-root, build a cone of soil and spread the roots over it. For potted, set the root ball intact.
- Get the depth right. Position the graft union at or just below the soil line in cold climates, at soil level in mild ones.
- Backfill and water deeply. Firm the soil gently, then water thoroughly to settle it and remove air pockets.
- Mulch. Apply two to three inches of mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
After planting
Water deeply and regularly for the first season while roots establish. Hold off on heavy feeding until the plant is growing well, then follow a normal feeding routine.