Do Bare Root Roses Bloom the First Year? A Growth Guide

Bare root roses can offer some benefits over container roses, but do bare root roses bloom the first year? That’s what I’ll be tackling in this article.

As usual, here’s my quick summary answer first. Then we’ll get into some of the nuances.

Bare root roses may bloom in the first year if planted early and in the right conditions. Generally, though, expect it to take two years for it to bloom and become established. A bare root rose will likely bloom from late spring to early summer. Then, like most roses, it will enter a dormant phase.

Keep watering it and caring for it though, and it should bloom even greater the following year – it will be worth the wait!

But as with most rose questions, one answer usually invites more questions. So let’s start answering the further bare root rose questions you’re likely to have…

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Why does it take so long for bare-root roses to bloom?

Bare root roses need time to become established. When you first get them, it is essentially just a root ball. The roots have to grow and establish themselves in the ground before the plant can focus on blooming.

You can give your bare-root roses a head start by planting them early – as early as late winter in some cases. But even if you plant them at the right time there is still a waiting period until they bloom.

Read my guide on the best month to plant roses, based on which country, state, or city you’re in.

How long does it take for bare-root roses to start growing?

Give your rose some time to adjust to its new home before you expect too much from it.

Once the rose is in the ground, it will take a few weeks for it to start growing once it’s acclimatized. And remember, it’s working on getting a good root system in place.

You should notice new growth within a month or so.

After that, it will take another few months for the plant to really start filling out and blooming.

When will my bare-root roses bloom?

How long does it take for your new bare root roses to bloom? It usually takes about 2-3 months for bare root roses to bloom.

But be patient – the wait will be worth it when your beautiful blooms appear!

If you’re lucky, and if all the right conditions are met, such as a quality plant, the right weather, and optimum fertilizer, bare-root roses can sometimes bloom within about 6-8 weeks after they are planted.

So, if you plant them in early Spring, with the right conditions you may see them bloom in late Spring or early Summer.

I’d also recommend only pruning them minimally during their first year, as they will be busy growing roots and getting established.

You can give them a light pruning after they bloom in late spring or early summer. Then give them another light pruning in fall, before the first frost.

However, it is not uncommon for them to take a year or two to really get going, so don’t be discouraged if they don’t bloom the first year.

Just make sure to keep up with the fertilizing and watering, and they should eventually start blooming for you.

Here’s more about Here’s more information about when roses bloom.

Aiming for second year blooming

If you’re happy to wait for another year for it to bloom, then you can give your bare root rose a bit of a head start by planting it in fall instead of spring.

This will give it a chance to get its roots established before the hot summer months and should result in a better blooming performance the following year.

Some also recommend snapping off emerging buds in order that the rose directs more energy into growing stronger roots in the first year.

How long does it take for a rose to become established?

It can take up to two years for a bare-root rose to become fully established.

But with proper care, you can expect it to bloom beautifully for years to come. Just enjoy the process and have patience!

Let’s move on to some planting guidelines for bare root roses so you get a good chance of a first-year bloom if that’s what you’re hoping for.

Here are my 9 tips for stronger and longer mini rose blooms.

Bare root roses – Aiming for first-year blooming

Now, let’s get into a little more detail about each of these points.

Bare root roses are usually available for planting from late winter to early spring. If you can plant them early in this window, you may be able to get blooms in the first year. The key is to make sure the conditions are right.

Water your bare root rose well

When you first get your bare-root rose it’s important to water it well.

It’s generally a good idea to plunge it into a bucket of water and leave it there for 12 hours. Not much longer though or the roots may start to suffocate.

After that, you can plant it…

A bare root rose needs a warm root system to start growing, so soil temperatures should be above freezing and rising. If you’re not sure whether it’s warm enough yet, wait a little longer. You don’t want to risk planting too early and having the roots freeze.

You can plant it earlier than container roses

But, the beauty of bare root roses is that there’s no risk of leaves being damaged by frost, so you can plant earlier than container roses – so they can get a head start!

If you live in a colder climate, there is the option of planting your bare root roses in pots, and then transplanting them into the ground once the last frost has gone, and as the weather warms up.

Planting method

• The hole should be wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots without cramping them.
• It’s a good idea to add some organic matter to the soil, but don’t overdo it. Just a handful will do.
• Make sure the soil is loose, and not too compacted.
• You can also add a bit of bone meal to the hole, which will provide nutrients for the plant as it gets established.
• Position the plant in the hole so that the graft union (the point where the rootstock and scion were joined) is about 2 inches below the soil line.
• Backfill the hole, and water it well.
• Mulch around the plant to help retain moisture.

Water regularly

At first, bare root roses will need more water than container-grown plants.

Once planted, water regularly (at least weekly is a good rule of thumb) but every few days if possible.

The best time to water roses is in the morning so that the leaves have a chance to dry out before nightfall. And fertilize monthly. You can stop fertilizing once the roses start blooming.

But you should read my full guide on when to water roses.

Here are a few related articles…

Do bare root roses bloom in the first year ~ More roses help! 🌹

I hope this has helped to answer most – if not all – the questions you’re likely to have around bare root roses and when they grow, bloom, and the best methods to use when planting them.

Be sure to check out my tools and resources page. Plus my other articles.