Rose bushes are highly valued for their beauty, fragrance, hardiness and long flowering period. Choose your favourite bare-root David Austin rose bush and replant it in your garden. Follow all these steps and make sure your rose bush grows healthily.
Where to plant?
Rose bushes grow faster and are more resistant to pests and diseases when planted in sunny, airy spots. You should therefore choose a location that guarantees at least four hours of sun exposure, to ensure proper growth and flowering. They prefer well-drained soils, as excess water can promote root rot and the appearance of foliar diseases.
Tips for planting your bare-root rose bush:
- Make sure the rose bush gets at least 4 hours of sun a day.
- Generally, the more sun, the better. However, in warmer areas, afternoon shade can be beneficial.
- Make sure the rose bush has enough space so the roots don’t face intense competition from neighbouring plants, including trees and hedges.
- Rose bushes are incredibly versatile plants and can be planted in a variety of locations: in pots, flower beds, to form hedges, against a wall (climbers)…
When to plant?
Shrub roses should be planted between October and April. This gives them time to establish and be ready to flower in summer. The only time we recommend not planting is when the soil is frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions.
What you’ll need
Hoe or spade, rake, gloves, suitable footwear, bucket, water, substrate and rose fertiliser.
Once you’ve gathered everything you need, you’re ready for the next steps:
STEP 1: (Re)hydrate
Bare-root rose bushes should be planted as soon as possible after purchase. Remove the plants from their pots, free them from organic matter, and fully submerge the roots in a bucket of water for around 2 hours before planting.
STEP 2: Prepare the soil
Work the soil well using a hoe and garden rake, removing any weeds or large stones.
STEP 3: Dig
Using the hoe/spade, dig a planting hole with a diameter of approx. 40 centimeters. The depth should be enough so the roots don’t bend when planting the rose bush.
This will ensure the new roots can spread freely in their new environment.
STEP 4: Work the soil
The soil should be worked in the planting hole to make it loose, facilitating the plant’s rooting. We recommend mixing in a substrate suitable for rose bushes as you go, both into the soil still in the hole and into the soil you remove.
STEP 5: Fertilise
Remove the bare-root rose from the bucket of water and, while holding it over the planting hole, sprinkle the roots with fertiliser. Recommended dose: 1½ handfuls (40 to 60 g) per plant.
STEP 6: Position the rose bush
Position the rose bush in the centre of the hole. Insert the plant so that the graft point is at a depth of five centimeters.
STEP 7: Plant the rose bush
Fill the hole with rose substrate to support the plant and, if planting in the garden, build a small berm around it so the watering water doesn’t run off.
STEP 8: Water
Water generously.
Rose bush substrate 20L
Shovel
Fertilizing rose bushes 1.3L
Rose fertilizer 800g
Gloves for rose bushes
Source: © David Austin
