Transplanting rose bushes successfully requires planning, care and patience. But rest assured, the task can be done – and you don’t have to be a master gardener to see successful results.
If your gorgeous roses are growing in a poor or inconvenient location – or if you’re moving and can’t bear to leave your beloved rose bushes behind – you can visit your local garden center for expert advice suited to our northern Utah growing conditions.
How to Dig Out a Rose Bush A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Roses are beautiful additions to any garden, but sometimes an established bush needs to be relocated to a new spot. Learning the proper techniques for digging out and moving a mature rose bush will ensure its healthy transition to a better location. Follow this comprehensive guide for tips on safely removing your rose bush for transplanting.
When is the Best Time to Dig Out Rose Bushes?
For optimum results, it’s ideal to dig up and transplant rose bushes while they are dormant in late fall or winter. However, you can still successfully move roses during the active growing season if necessary. Here are the main pros and cons of transplanting roses in different seasons
Fall or Winter
Pros: Roses are dormant so transplant shock is reduced. Cooler weather causes less stress to plants.
Cons: Identifying bush location and type can be difficult when leaves have dropped. Ground may be frozen.
Spring
Pros: Soil is workable and easy to dig. Bush is actively growing.
Cons: Loss of current season’s flowers and buds. Higher risk of transplant shock.
Summer
Pros: Warm weather promotes quick recovery. Bushes are in full form for identification.
Cons: Hot temperatures increase transplant stress. Greater shock from digging out roses.
Before Digging Up Rose Bushes
Prior to digging up and removing your rose bush, follow these tips to prepare it for relocation:
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Prune back the bush by 1/3 which reduces foliage and makes transport easier.
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Deeply water the rose bush 1-2 weeks before digging it up. Well-hydrated plants experience less shock.
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Loosen the soil around roots before digging by driving a spade down around the bush.
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Have tarps, burlap or cloth on hand to wrap the root ball for safe transport.
Step-by-Step Guide to Digging Out Rose Bushes
Follow these steps for safely and successfully digging up your established rose bush:
- Dig a Trench Around the Root Zone
Use a shovel, garden fork or spade to dig a 12-18 inch deep trench around the bush. It should extend about 12-18 inches out from the main stem.
- Start Lifting the Root Ball
Once the trench is dug, rock your shovel back and forth to loosen the root ball and sever smaller roots. Do this around all sides, working your way around the plant. As it loosens, gently lift the main stem to raise the root ball.
- Support the Root Ball
When you feel the bush beginning to lift out, slide a tarp or burlap under the raised root ball. You may need to cut thicker lateral roots with pruners or a saw to fully extract the plant. Keep as much of the root system intact as possible.
- Transport the Rose Bush
Lift the root ball onto the prepared tarp, burlap or fabric. Wrap it around the roots and tie it together for safe transport. Carry it gently to avoid breaking up the soil ball from the roots.
Transplanting the Dug Out Rose Bush
After safely digging up your rose bush, follow these tips to transplant it in its new location:
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Dig a new planting hole at least 2x wider than the root ball.
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Mix compost or well-rotted manure into the backfill soil to enrich it.
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Place the bush into the hole, keeping the soil ball intact. Ensure it sits at its original soil depth.
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Backfill and tamp down soil gently but firmly to eliminate air pockets around roots.
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Water deeply and add mulch to help retain moisture.
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Stake or trellis tall bushes to provide support until roots establish.
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Prune back canes by 1/3 after planting to reduce demand on roots.
Caring for Newly Transplanted Roses
To reduce transplant stress and facilitate recovery in your rose bush, be sure to:
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Water frequently (avoiding soggy soil) for the first few weeks after transplanting.
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Mist rose leaves daily if possible to provide extra moisture.
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Apply balanced organic fertilizer a few weeks after transplanting once growth resumes.
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Monitor for pests like aphids that attack stressed plants. Use organic sprays if needed.
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Avoid heavy pruning until roots reestablish, aside from removing dead wood.
Tips for Success Digging Out and Moving Roses
Here are some extra pointers to ensure successful rose bush transplantation when digging them out:
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Move potted roses anytime with minimal stress and intact root balls.
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Transplant on calm, cloudy days to prevent drying out from sun or wind.
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Move bare root roses when fully dormant in late winter before leafing out.
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Keep newly moved bushes well-watered by hand until roots recover.
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Allow 1-2 years for full bloom recovery after transplanting roses.
What to Do With Failing Rose Bushes
If your rose bush is underperforming, try these troubleshooting tips before digging it out:
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Address issues like poor drainage, improper pH or disease/pests.
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Prune out old, dead and crossing canes to stimulate new growth.
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Use proper watering and organic fertilizer to encourage vigor.
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Move to a sunnier location if insufficient light exposure.
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As a last resort, propagate healthy cuttings before removing it.
Digging Out Overgrown or Unproductive Rose Bushes
When aging rose bushes become overgrown or fail to bloom well, here are some tips:
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Hard prune unproductive bushes in early spring, removing all dead and crossing branches.
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Give it one season to respond before deciding to remove it.
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If performance doesn’t improve, take summer cuttings before digging it out.
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Replace it with a new healthy rose suited to the location and conditions.
Conclusion
Digging out and relocating mature rose bushes takes some work, but pays off with refreshed vigor in a better spot. Follow the steps outlined in this guide and you can confidently dig up and transplant roses to any desired location in your garden. With the right techniques, even large overgrown rose bushes can be successfully dug out and moved.
Step 4: Dig a Hole in the Garden Bed
Your next step is to dig a hole for the roses at the new planting site. As a rule of thumb, plan on digging a hole that’s about as large as the spread of the rose canes. To provide your bush with plenty of critical nutrients after it’s been transplanted, put peat moss, potting soil or other organic matter in the hole.
Step 2: Prepare Your Garden Bed in Advance
Before you move a rose bush, you’ll also need to prepare the new planting site. Roses thrive in fertile soil enriched with organic matter, so work plenty of compost into the garden bed.
How to Transplant a Rose Bush
FAQ
How deep are the roots of a rose bush?
Other than anchor roots which aren’t the main nutrient suppliers, most roses grow only about 12 inches deep. However, they require lots of water and won’t tolerate wet feet from lack of drainage. If you are confident you have loose, draining soil to a depth of 2 feet then you may dig to only 18 inches.
What is the easiest way to remove rose bushes?
Some rose shrubs can grow to 9 feet tall and 15 feet wide. If you’re tackling a large bush long handled loppers give the best leverage for taking out branches. Smaller shrubs can be cut back incrementally with a sharp hand pruner. Finally, you need a sharp spade or shovel to remove the rootball and any spreading roots.
Can you uproot a rose bush?
Gently dig the rose shrub out, using a spade to loosen the root ball in a circle around the plant. Lift the root ball and put it into a wheelbarrow or onto a tarp for transport to the new hole. Don’t worry if the root ball shatters and the roots are exposed; they’re inured to brief exposure at this time.