Tips on how to plant bare roses, including what they are, what to expect when the roses arrive from the grower, and when and how to plant them. Bare-root roses are one of the most economical ways to create a rose garden!
If you’re in the market for new rose bushes, you’ll have noticed that they come in two variations: planted in pots or as bare-root plants. Rose plants that arrive in pots with soil around their roots are very easy to plant, and it can be done all year round. Bare root plants are different and will arrive in plastic bags without any soil at all. You can only get this variety delivered in the autumn and winter while the plant is dormant, and this is typically the time to plant bare-root roses as well.
Two years ago, we moved into a new house with a small lawn area to the rear. It had a few fruit trees and a greenhouse, but the plan was to fully develop it into an English cottage garden-style vegetable garden complete with raised beds and colorful flower beds. My first addition was a pretty garden arch, and on either side, I planted bare-root roses. Two years on, the plants have reached the top of the arbor and bloom with the most beautiful and fragrant David Austin roses. The details in this piece outline how I’ve planted my roses, and the video at the end gives even further instruction.
Roses are prized for their beauty and fragrance making them a cherished addition to many gardens. While potted roses can be planted anytime of year winter is actually the best season for planting bare root rose bushes. Winter-planted bare root roses get a head start on root growth before spring. This helps them establish quickly when growing season arrives. With proper care, roses planted in winter can thrive and give you gorgeous blooms for years to come.
Why Winter is Ideal for Planting Roses
There are a few key reasons why winter is the prime planting time for bare root roses:
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Dormancy – Roses enter a dormant period in winter, allowing them to focus energy on root growth rather than foliage or flowers. This makes transplanting less stressful.
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Soil moisture – Cool, moist winter soils provide ideal conditions for new root development. This prevents transplant shock.
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Earlier growth – Winter-planted roses get a jumpstart on spring growth compared to later plantings
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Bare roots – Bare root plantings avoid the soil ball breaking apart issues of potted roses Direct root-to-soil contact aids quicker establishment
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Cost – Bare root roses are far more economical than potted varieties.
As long as your winter ground isn’t frozen, planting a bare root rose during its dormancy is perfectly fine and recommended for best results.
When to Plant Bare Root Roses
Bare root roses should be planted during their dormant period for optimal success. This window is generally:
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Fall: Late October to December in mild winter climates
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Winter: January through March in areas with cold winters
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Spring: As late as April in the coldest zones once ground thaws
Roses need 6-8 weeks of cool conditions after planting to establish before warm weather arrives and growth resumes. Time your planting accordingly based on your climate.
Potted roses can technically be planted anytime, but bare roots require precise winter timing.
How to Plant Dormant Bare Root Roses
Follow these steps for proper winter planting of bare root roses:
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Prepare the planting area
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Choose a site with full sun (at least 6 hours direct sun daily)
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Amend heavy clay soils with compost to improve drainage
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Space plants 3-5 feet apart depending on mature size
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Soak bare roots
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Submerge bare root bush in a bucket of water for 30 minutes before planting
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Keep roots moist if unable to plant right away
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Dig wide planting hole
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Dig hole 12-18 inches deep and wide
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Loosen soil at bottom with a fork
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Mix some compost into soil from hole
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Position and backfill
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Spread roots over cone of soil in hole
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Backfill halfway and gently firm down soil
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Complete backfilling rest of hole
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Finish planting
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Water deeply until no air pockets remain
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Apply 2-3 inch mulch layer around base
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Prune any damaged canes or branches
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Provide winter care
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Water during dry periods if no rain
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Check for heaving and reset any lifted plants
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Mulch for insulation if extreme cold
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Proper planting coupled with attentive follow-up care will give your bare root roses the best start come springtime. Be sure to continue watering and care as needed through the growing season.
The Best Types of Roses to Plant in Winter
Almost all types of roses can be purchased bare root and are suitable for winter planting, including:
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Hybrid teas – Large, classic blooms on long stems perfect for cutting.
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Floribundas – Profuse small clustered blooms ideal for borders and beds.
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Shrub and hedge roses – Tough, carefree roses that bloom repeatedly on bushy plants.
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Climbers – Vigorous growing roses best trained on structures like arbors or fences.
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Old garden roses – Vintage heirloom varieties known for rich fragrance and charm.
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Landscape roses – Low-maintenance, disease-resistant roses bred for gardens.
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Miniature roses – Dainty compact roses under 2 feet tall perfect for containers.
Choose winter-hardy, disease-resistant varieties best suited to your climate and space for easiest care. Check tags or with local nurseries for recommended types.
Caring for Newly Planted Roses in Winter
Roses require some specialized care after planting in winter:
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Water 1-2 times per week during dry spells for the first 2 months.
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Check for heaving from freeze/thaw cycles and replant any lifted roses.
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Add mulch like leaves or straw to insulate plants if hard freezes occur.
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Prune only damaged canes – leave healthy growth until spring.
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Fertilize with balanced organic fertilizer once spring growth resumes.
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Monitor for pests like aphids that can attack young shoots and treat as needed.
Attentive post-planting care ensures your roses survive the winter and put out vigorous new growth when conditions warm.
Should You Plant Potted or Bare Root Roses?
Potted and bare root roses both have their merits:
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Potted roses
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Can be planted anytime of year
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Establish quicker with minimal transplant shock
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More expensive
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Prone to root-ball issues
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Bare root roses
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Require winter planting when dormant
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Slower to establish initially
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Very economical
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Direct root-to-soil contact
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If planting in winter, bare root is the clear choice. But either option can work well with proper timing and care.
Enjoy Years of Beautiful Blooms
When planned properly, roses planted in winter thrive and reward you with countless glorious flowers. Be sure to select a variety suited to your climate and space needs. Follow sound planting techniques and provide attentive winter care. With a bit of patience and TLC, your bare root roses will flourish for many seasons to come. The end result? A glorious rose garden you’ll treasure for years on end.
How Long Until Bare Root Roses Bloom
The rose arbor that I bought is the basic model from B&Q and arrived as a flat-pack. I got help from Josh to put it together, and after that, I painted it and then cemented it into the ground. We have very windy winters on the Island, but the summers can be stormy, too. If you wanted to recreate my arbor, I’m sure it would be a relatively simple DIY. I planted the roses at the base and just outside the arbor. That way, the roots have plenty of space to grow outwards, and the plants don’t crowd the walkway.
The first summer, the roses grew to about waist high, and I wound the stems around the wooden arbor as they grew. A bit of garden twine held some of the smaller pieces in place. By late September of the second year, the roses had climbed all the way to the top of the arch.
Rose Variety, the Generous Gardener
My own bare root roses, a type called the Generous Gardener, arrived in early November. They’re a type perfect for the edible gardener since they produce big, juicy hips and also attract bees and other pollinators. They’re a climbing variety, and I planted one on either side of a new garden arbor that I’ve situated in the center of the garden. The hope was that these English climbing roses will cover the feature and repeat blossom all summer long. Not only will their fragrant flowers attract bees, but I plan on using the petals to make rose petal wine and rose water skin toner.
Preparing Potted Roses for Winter
FAQ
What is the best month to plant roses?
If you plant your roses in January and February, they will be able to establish their roots while the weather is still mild and can strengthen themselves to …
Can newly planted roses survive a freeze?
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Hardiness is Key:Choose rose varieties that are suitable for your USDA hardiness zone (Los Angeles is typically zone 9 or 10).
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Timing Matters:Plant roses in the fall or early spring to allow the roots to establish before a hard freeze.
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Protect the Roots:Mulch around the base of the plant with a layer of organic material like straw or leaves to insulate the roots.
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Protect the Bud Union:For grafted roses, cover the bud union (the swollen area where the graft was made) with soil or mulch to prevent it from freezing.
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Covering for Frost:If a freeze is predicted, you can cover the rose bush with a blanket or row cover to protect it from frost.
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Consider Wind Protection:Plant roses in a sheltered location to protect them from strong winds, which can cause damage during a freeze.
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Potted Roses:If you have roses in containers, move them to a sheltered location or cover the pot with a burlap bag or other insulating material.
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Don’t Worry Too Much:Roses are generally resilient, and a short-term freeze won’t necessarily kill them, especially if they are established and healthy.
Can you plant a rose in December?
The David Austin website has advice on planting bare root roses. Any time between late autumn and early spring is fine, so yes, that includes now in December.
What temperature is too cold for rose bushes?
Roses are quite resilient plants, but they do need protection when harsh conditions arise. Specifically, protection is necessary if you anticipate a hard freeze, which is defined as temperatures dropping below 28°F for an extended period.