How to plant bare root roses?
Our Step By Step Guide
Step 1. Prepare your hole.
To plant a bare root rose make sure that the hole is wide enough for the roots to comfortably spread out and deep enough so that the graft point (union) will be approximately an inch below soil level. This is to reduce the risk of suckers developing and damage from high winds. Digging a hole that is approximately a spades width by a spades depth is usually a good measure.
Step 2. Apply Roots Boost with mychorrhizal fungi
At this point, we would recommend using Peter Beales Roots Boost, which contains essential ingredients and mychorrhizal fungi for robust rose growth and increased nutrient and water uptake, for healthier plant performance and suppression of soil-borne diseases. Click here to shop Roots Boost. Roots Boost should be sprinkled directly onto the roots, as well as in the planting hole. The friendly fungi will attach to the roots of the plant making it easier for them to uptake the essential nutrients and water needed for initial healthy growth.
If using a proprietary rose food or bone meal instead of Roots Boost, then no more than a handful is required and needs to be mixed in well with the compost, as direct contact could cause scorching to the roots of the rose which will actually cause far more harm than good.
Step 3. Planting your bare root rose
Hold the rose with one hand, to ensure that it will be planted at the correct planting depth and that its roots are spread. Start to add the compost mix to the hole until it is approximately half full. The rose can now stand on its own and the soil can be firmed with a heel. Continue to fill the hole and firm as required.
Step 4. Firm the soil with your heel.
It is important to firm the soil around your newly planted rose to make sure that there are no air pockets present around the roots. Don’t forget at this point to make sure that your rose is labelled! It can be incredibly frustrating when you can’t remember what your beautiful new roses are called. Especially if you want to recommend them to friends.
Step 5. Prune
Once you have planted your newly purchased bare root rose we would always recommend hard pruning them. This promotes basal growth, which will help to create a better structured plant. Shrub roses, Climbers and Ramblers will benefit from being hard pruned to six inches and Bush roses should be reduced down to about four inches. It is also worth noting that shrub roses shouldn’t be planted any closer than about two foot (60cm) apart.
If you are using a weed suppressing mulch, we strongly advise against using woodchip, but a composted material such as strulch (straw mulch or composted bark). We have found that woodchip acts as a barrier and stops the rose from receiving the required nutrients.