Planting bare-root roses in autumn is the secret to beautiful blooms next year. An easy (and cheaper) alternative to potted roses, bare-root roses tend to establish more quickly in the garden, often resulting in stronger growth.
Bare roots can be planted in pots or straight into the ground if you have the space, just make sure to avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged ground.
“A bare-root rose is basically what it says on the tin: it is a dormant plant,” Liam Beddall, Head Rosarian at David Austin Roses, tells Country Living at a gardening workshop.
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“Something beautiful can come from something so simple. People are used to seeing potted roses with flowers and foliage, ready to go, but these bare plants are planted in the autumn and winter time, ready for flowering in the spring.”
A more traditional way of planting, there are ample advantages to choosing dormant roses.
“The root system gets to establish over the winter without having to support any foliage or flowers,” Liam tells us.
“It really settles down to grow a strong root system. They’re also cheaper than potted roses, which is always helpful. The variety of roses is also much larger, as not everything comes in a pot. They are easy to handle and very friendly.”
Martin Alejandro Eito
Bare-root roses can be planted anytime from autumn, though the main window is November to April to ensure the roots have time to develop. During this period, plants can focus their energy on root development, rather than leaves or flowers.
Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to planting bare-root roses, as shared by Liam:
How to plant your bare rose
1. Rehydrate the bare root rose in a bucket of water for a minimum of two hours prior to planting.
Martin Alejandro Eito
2. Dig over the soil using a garden fork and remove any weeds or large stones. This will ensure that new roots can venture freely in their new environment.
3. Dig a hole big enough for the roots, approximately 45cm wide by 45cm deep.
4. Break up the soil at the base of the hole to allow the roots to go deeper into the ground. Mix a spadeful of soil improver, quality compost or well-rotted manure with soil in the bottom of the hole. This will improve soil structure and help the rose to establish.
Martin Alejandro Eito
5. Sprinkle roughly 30g of David Austin Mycorrhizal Fungi (or similar) directly onto the roots, to stimulate root growth for a healthier, more plentiful rose.
6. Position the rose in the centre of the hole. The bottom of the stems should sit 5cm below the top of the hole.
Martin Alejandro Eito
7. Mix a further two spadefuls of either soil improver, quality compost or well-rotted manure with the soil removed from the hole and backfill around the roots of the rose. Lightly firm the soil around the rose with your foot to ensure the rose is secure and there are no air pockets.
8. Water the rose well. During the first summer, it’s recommended to water your new rose twice a week or every other day if the weather is very hot.
Martin Alejandro Eito
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Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she’s busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
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