How to Plant Bare Root Roses

Learning how to plant bare root roses couldn’t be easier. Bare root roses are young rose plants supplied during the dormant season without soil. They settle into the garden with ease and are more affordable and easier to handle than container roses.

We have a stunning array of different bare root roses available, all quality checked and hand-picked by our experts for 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They may look a bit unimpressive when they arrive, but they are packed with potential. Whether you appreciate the classic shape and fragrance of hybrid tea roses or the striking abundance of climbing roses, they all thrive when grown from bare root plants.

Where to plant bare root roses

Roses are happy in a range of conditions but thrive best in a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of sunshine a day. They like rich, well-drained but moist soils so avoid planting them in particularly boggy, dry or shady spots. Roses are a hardy bunch though and quite adaptable, but giving them the right home will always allow them to perform best for you.

Let’s look at some of the basics of how to plant bare root roses so you can give your garden something extra special this year. 

Step 1: Soak the roots

You should soak the roots of your bare root rose before planting it in your garden. This will reinvigorate the plant, giving it a good drink and getting it ready for its new home. Place it in a bucket of water so that just the roots are submerged for a few hours before planting. If you’re not ready to plant your bare root rose straight away, store is in a cool dry place until you are, though not longer than three weeks.

Step 2: Dig and prepare a hole

Your hole should be roughly twice as wide as the roots and a little deeper. Once you have a hole that your rose can sit in comfortably without the roots bending, blend some organic matter into the hole. Use a soil improver or some well-rotted manure and mix it into the hole to give you rose some feed. It will thank you for this later!

Step 3: Place your rose

Once your hole is prepared you can place your bare root rose. Make sure that none of the roots are bending, and that the plant is upright. The graft union, where the rootstock is joined to the stem should sit around 5cm below the surface of the soil. Sprinkle some mycorrhizal fungi around the roots to encourage strong growth and give your rose the best start to life in your garden.

Step 4: Backfill your hole

Keeping the plant steady, gently backfill the hole. You can mix in more well-rotted manure or soil improver at this point too if you want. Make sure to fill the hole so that the graft union is below the surface of the soil. Use your heel to gently firm the soil around the roots, getting rid of any air pockets, and water your plant in well.

It is best to plant bare root roses between November and March in the UK. This is when they are dormant. Planting them during this period allows them to establish a healthy root system before they start growing their stems and leaves in spring. Avoid planting in periods where the ground is waterlogged or frozen.

When you know how to plant bare root roses it is a very easy and satisfying job. There are a few basic steps to follow and a few simple pitfalls to avoid. 

How you care for your new rose will depend on the variety you have. Once they are established you can treat them just the same as any other rose. Mulching around the base in autumn will give them some extra feed and they should be pruned while dormant to encourage healthy growth. How you prune will depend on the variety of rose you have, but roses are incredibly forgiving, so don’t be afraid to give it a go!

How long does it take for bare root roses to establish?

A bare root rose will generally look like a fully formed plant complete with leaves and flowers by the summer after they were planted. It can take them up to three years to become fully established and fully grown plants, during which time it’s a good idea to mulch them so they have plenty of food, and make sure they are watered during dry spells.

Will bare root roses flower in the first year?

Yes. Bare root roses don’t look like much when they arrive, but by the time spring rolls around they will start to grow rapidly and most will flower in their first year, given the right growing conditions.

What are you waiting for? Your growing journey starts right here at Mr Fothergill’s! Shop our bare root roses today as part of our extensive range and let us help get your daffodil garden going.