Roses have always been the undisputed stars of gardens, symbolising both love and beauty. However, for these queens of the garden to bloom their petals splendidly, planting requires special care. One of the most common and effective methods is planting bare root roses, a technique that promises vigorous growth and abundant flowering. In this article, we will detail the crucial steps to successfully plant your bare root rose supplied in a pot of substrate, from soaking methods to the secrets of perfect watering. Follow our guide to transform your garden into a haven of resplendent roses!

Bare root rose or potted? It’s all Greek to me

" Don't you order your roses bare root? - Well, yes. Look! - Oh no, these are potted. - Yes, but they are still bare root... just potted. - Oh. Well, if I were you, I would have bought bare root plants in pots. - Oh, very funny! That's clever...."

Bare root roses delivered with a pot of substrate surrounding them represent an excellent option for all gardeners. This proposal combines the advantages of the two most commonly used plant delivery types: bare root and containerised.

When a rose (or another plant) is delivered bare root, it means it is shipped without soil around the roots. This process has several advantages, including reduced transport costs and better recovery of the plant once planted. However, it requires that the plant be planted quickly after receipt to minimise stress and the risk of root desiccation.

The addition of a pot of potting soil around the roots during transport offers a clever compromise. This pot hydrates the roots during transit, thereby reducing transport-related stress and increasing the chances of successful recovery. It also allows gardeners a bit of extra time (but don’t take too long!) before needing to plant their new rose.

advantages of bare root and potted roses
A bare root rose with a pot

When to order? When to plant?

Bare root roses are generally available for purchase between November and March, which coincides with their dormancy period. This helps to minimise stress on the plant and increases the chances of successful recovery once planted. The best time to plant these roses is also during their dormancy, when the plant is less likely to experience thermal shock or water stress.

How to plant a bare root rose?

First, unpack the pot by removing the plastic that holds it in place. When you do this, you will likely get some substrate on your feet or even in your boots: this is perfectly normal (it happens to me every time too!) and in any case, you won’t really need it anymore. However, you can keep it to add to the planting if your soil is very heavy.

planting bare root and potted roses
  • Choosing the location: Select a well-sunny spot with well-drained soil. Roses prefer at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
  • Inspecting the roots: First, carefully inspect the roots of your rose. Remove any damaged or rotten parts with a sharp, disinfected pruning shear. Healthy roots are essential for good recovery of the plant.
  • Hydration and soaking: Soak the roots of the rose in a bucket of water for a few hours to hydrate them. You can also proceed with soaking the roots. This operation involves soaking the roots in a mixture of soil, preferably clay, compost or manure, and water, forming a thick mud. This step promotes recovery and root growth by improving contact between the roots and the soil.
  • Preparing the planting hole: Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the spreading roots of the plant, generally 50 cm deep and 60 cm wide is sufficient.

planting hole for rose

  • Soil amendment: Mix the removed soil with well-decomposed compost to improve the soil, providing essential nutrients to the plant.
  • Placing the rose: Position your rose in the middle of the hole, ensuring the roots are well spread out. The grafting point, identifiable as a swelling at the base of the stem, should be level with the soil or slightly above.

how to place grafting point when planting rose

  • Backfilling and tamping: Fill the hole with the enriched soil and compost mixture, lightly tamping down by hand to eliminate air pockets.
  • Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to establish good contact between the roots and the soil.
  • Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch such as straw or wood chips to retain moisture and limit weed growth.
  • Post-planting care: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the first few weeks, and consider applying a rose-specific fertiliser when the first signs of growth appear.