How to Plant Bare-Root Roses
This guide shows you how to plant bare-root roses while they're dormant, so they can settle their roots over winter and flower well next summer. You'll learn how to check your plants, prepare the soil and set each rose at the right depth. The hands-on work takes about half an hour per rose. After that, it's mostly watering in dry spells and a light prune in late winter.
When
November to March
Difficulty
Easy
Hands-on time
30 mins
You'll need
- ✓Bare-root roses
- ✓Bucket of water
- ✓Spade and fork
- ✓Garden compost
- ✓Secateurs
- ✓Watering can
- ✓Mycorrhizal fungi (optional)
Dan's Tip
Plant your roses as soon as they arrive. Bare roots dry out quickly, and that's the main reason new roses fail. If you can't plant straight away, keep them cool and frost-free.
Step by step guide
Check Your Roses
Unwrap your roses as soon as they arrive and look them over. Healthy plants have firm, green stems and plenty of fibrous roots, with no shrivelling, mould or broken stems.
Soak the Roots
Stand the roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours before planting. This rehydrates them after their journey and gives each rose a much better start.
10 more steps, plus winter care, common mistakes, troubleshooting and FAQs
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