Consider using bare-root plants if you're prepared to incorporate roses into your garden. These roses are dormant plants sold without dirt covering their root to make them lighter and easier to transport. There are more varieties than potted ones, along with additional advantages.
Furthermore, these roses are more resistant to late frost than potted roses that have commenced their growth cycle. Bare-root plants adapt to your specific growth environment since they are planted at the beginning of the growing season.
Here is everything you need to know about how to plant, grow, and care for bare-root roses.
Preparing Bare-Root Rose for Planting
Buy bare-root roses as near to planting time as you can. If bare roots come before you're prepared to plant or the soil is still frozen, it's essential to safeguard them until you can place them in the earth. As long as the roots remain damp, they will be okay for a day or two.
As soon as you get them, remove the plastic covering. At first sight, bare-root roses may appear unattractive—a collection of thorny branches with unkempt roots. Nonetheless, this look is entirely usual. These roses are gathered and pruned while dormant, guaranteeing they save energy for regrowing roots after planting. Their inactive condition also renders them more resistant to late frosts than potted roses, which might have already begun their growth phase.
Afterward, soak them in a bucket of water if you plan to plant within 12 hours. Alternatively, moisten the roots with water and keep them in plastic for one or two days. If you plan to wait longer before planting them, place them in a bare area or soil. Place the bare roots upright in a bucket, or position them in a shallow, shaded trench at a 45-degree angle. If the soil remains frozen, place the roots in a big pot.
In both instances, layer the roots and upper third of the plant with soil, compost, or peat moss. Water as needed to maintain moisture in the roots. Plant the bare-root roses promptly to prevent harm to fresh roots and foliage.
Different optimal times to plant bare-root roses exist depending on your local temperature and growing zone. Planting should be done between January and May, though the exact dates will vary based on where you live. Roses are typically planted in late winter when the soil is tillable, and frost risk reduces in warmer climates such as USDA zones 8–10. In contrast, it is ideal to plant in early spring, once the soil has thawed and temperatures consistently remain above freezing, in cooler regions known as USDA zones 5-7. Planting at these times enables the roses to develop their roots in favorable conditions, encouraging robust growth.
Timing is essential since bare-root roses must acclimate to the soil before extreme weather events, such as summer heat. The optimal temperatures for planting lie between 40 and 60°F. Such conditions are not too cold to impede root growth nor too warm to cause stress to the plant. Planting too soon in chilly conditions can harm the roots, while too late exposes the roses to summer heat before they can be established.
Do not plant bare-root roses under rain-soaked soil since it might suffocate the roots and lead to decay. Meanwhile, dry weather is also considered unsuitable for planting, as the roses will not have the regular moisture required for building a strong root system. Waiting for optimal soil moisture and consistent weather guarantees roses will have the opportunity to flourish. By thoughtfully selecting the appropriate planting time according to climate and soil conditions, you establish a basis for robust and thriving rose bushes.
How to Plant Bare-Root Rose
Here are some steps to planting roses in the garden
1. Choose a Location
Bare-root roses thrive without competition from other plants for essential resources like sunlight, nutrients, or water. Choose a spot that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily for growth and blossoms. In harsher climates, providing afternoon shade helps protect plants from extreme heat that could otherwise stress them. These elements create the ideal environment for the roses to develop and flourish: a bright, well-lit area.
Roses competing with other plants may become more susceptible to pests and diseases. They have to compete for essential nutrients, which lowers their resilience against any threats, so ensure the location has minimal competition. Additionally, spacing helps provide good aeration around the leaves, preventing fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or black spots. Having sufficient space around roses and other plants is important for long-term health.
Refrain from planting bare-root roses in the soil where a different rose has died before. These sites might contain nematodes and fungal pathogens that can survive for years, endangering the new plant. Beginning anew with healthy, well-drained soil in a disease-free location enhances the chances of success and minimizes possible obstacles.
Examining bare-root roses is essential before planting, enabling you to detect possible problems early. When your roses are healthy, bare-root roses will display sturdy, dense roots that feel damp and flexible. The roots must not be dry, fragile, or crumbling, as such conditions can suggest dehydration or injury that might hinder the plant's capacity to take root.
The packing material, usually coarse sphagnum moss or a comparable moisture-retaining substance, should be moist but not soaking wet. Too much moisture can result in decay, whereas too little can cause the roots to dry out. Inspect the moss or covering around the roots to ensure it retains enough. If it seems dry, gently mist it to moisten the roots, but steer clear of overwatering since this can result in a damp atmosphere that fosters fungal problems.
Carefully observe the general state of the roots and stems. Refrain from planting roses with soft roots, unpleasant smells, noticeable mold, freezing injury, or excessive broken stems or roots since these indicate deterioration or mishandling. Healthy bare-root roses should emit a sweet, earthy fragrance and possess intact roots without damage.
3. Soak the Roots
Soaking them in water is necessary for rehydration of the roots and successful planting. This technique ensures the root gets enough moisture lost during storage to support its growth.
Place the bare-root roses in a pail of lukewarm tap water. Let it stay there for at least two hours to let the roots rehydrate. Do not let them be in for more than twenty-four hours because this can cause root damage and create conditions for rot.
While the roots are to be soaked in water, the canes should not be. After the rose has soaked, gently remove it from the bucket and let it drip off excess water. At this time, the roots will be moist enough to plant.
4. Dig a Planting Hole
Ensure the space is clear of weeds and grass before planting. Weeds may obstruct the development of your roses by vying with them for essential nutrients and water. Utilize a shovel or spade to extract the weeds, leaving no debris behind. This approach establishes a fresh and healthy setting where the bare-root roses flourish.
After removing the weeds, excavate the planting hole. The hole dimensions are essential for root expansion. The hole should generally be 12 to 18 inches deep and 18 to 24 inches wide for bare-root roses. The depth and width will differ based on the size of the rose's root system. Specialists suggest a hole double the depth and width of the root system provides adequate space for the roots to expand and develop.
Nevertheless, remember that the dimensions of the hole do not have to correspond perfectly to the root system. If you must trim some of the roots to fit the plant in the hole, that’s completely okay. Roses can withstand a bit of root cutting, particularly bare-root ones.
While you excavate the planting hole, loosen the soil to enhance its texture and drainage capabilities. Eliminate any sizable stones or debris that may obstruct root development. While you work, set aside the loosened soil for backfilling. This technique will conserve time and enable you to enhance the soil with essential amendments before returning it to the hole.
Improve the backfill soil with bone meal or superphosphate, as these provide the necessary nutrients, especially phosphorus, crucial for strong roots. If your soil lacks organic matter or contains very little, add 1 to 2 spades of compost or well-rotted manure. These organic additives improve soil fertility and texture to ensure roses are nourished with good drainage. You should also place an equal amount of compost or manure at the bottom of the planting hole but do not add chemical fertilizers at this stage. Fertilizers may be excessively potent for young roots and can lead to harm or "burn" them.
Mix the amendments with the current soil instead of solely relying on pure compost or manure as a backfill. The contrast in texture and composition between the backfill and nearby soil may hinder root expansion if you use only organic material for backfilling. This consequence may cause the roots to spiral within the enhanced zone rather than expanding into the surrounding soil, restricting the plant's stability and nutrient access.
6. Position the Bare-Root Rose
After preparing the soil, form a cone or pyramid-shaped mound at the base of the planting hole. The mound supports the bare-root rose and assists in positioning the roots. To create the cone, thoroughly mix a blend of the loosened soil and organic amendments. Crush any big soil clumps, then pile them into a mound in the middle of the hole.
When you set the rose in the hole, the crown (where the roots and stem meet) ought to sit slightly above the mound, and the roots should spread out naturally around it. This placement aids the plant in establishing itself rapidly. It guarantees roots spread evenly, paving the way for robust growth.
Suggestions differ regarding the ideal planting depth for bare-root roses. Some advise placing the bare root above the ground. Another suggestion is to put the plant 1 inch beneath the soil level. Distribute the roots uniformly along the slopes of the mound. You can trim back any excessively long roots.
7. Prune Long Canes
Once planted, cut the canes to a suitable length to assist the plant in establishing itself. This phase guarantees the plant cultivates a robust and healthy root system instead of sustaining excessive top growth. Freshly planted rose canes must not be longer than 6 to 8 inches.
Cutting back the canes after planting also lessens the water and nutrient requirements from the shoots, allowing the root system to recover and expand. A good rule of thumb is to reduce the height of the canes by approximately one-third from the top. The aim is to equalize the above-ground stems (the canes) and the below-ground roots, ensuring the plant can sustain itself as it develops.
Trimming the canes eliminates any damaged or weak parts that might hinder the rose's growth. Moreover, shorter canes are less susceptible to drying out, which occurs more readily in bare-root plants.
8. Water and Mulch
Thoroughly water the recently planted rose and add 1 to 2 inches of mulch at the base and throughout the root area to retain soil moisture and inhibit weed development.
You can additionally add a layer of mulch on top of the soil. Mulch can minimize surface erosion during heavy rains at the start of the season and will also aid in retaining moisture during the hot, dry periods. Mulch is excellent for inhibiting weed growth as well.
How to Care for Bare-Root Rose
Watering
Water the shrubs as necessary during the initial growing season until they are fully established. Inspect plants once or twice weekly and water if the soil near the roots is dry. You can decrease the watering frequency as plants become more established later in the growth season. However, the plant may need additional during the second and third growing seasons when the conditions are arid.
Fertilizing
To nourish your roses, you can use an organic rose fertilizer that is rich in potash and can be blended into the soil. For optimal results, apply it at the start of spring and mid-summer following the initial bloom. Alternatively, use a liquid fertilizer like a rose tonic weekly or biweekly throughout the growing season.
Also, mulch the roses using manure or another nutrient-rich organic material, ensuring it stays away from the stems yearly.
Pruning
Trim roses during January or February to maintain their condition and promote vigorous growth. Utilize secateurs to remove any old, damaged, or diseased branches. For climbing roses, prune a few older stems down to the base to promote new growth and minimize crowding. Trim any laterals originating from the main stem to 3 or 4 buds.
For shrub roses, once they are well-established, you can prune one or two of the oldest stems and trim other stems back by approximately one-third. Always trim back to an outward-facing bud to promote the rose in developing a lovely open form.
Pruning bush roses to a short stem can be done more aggressively. Trim to 4-6 buds from the base or 3-4 from the bottom of each stem. At their ends, they will produce new erect stalks that will flower.
Overwintering
Roses can withstand freezing temperatures when dormant before growing again in the spring, so they usually don't need extra attention over the winter.
Ensure your roses are not slack in the ground, though, since this could lead to a collar of soil forming around the stem and retaining water. To reduce excessive wind movement, reduce the height of the rose and compact the soil around the stem.
