When to Plant Bare Root Roses, How to Grow Them Successfully

Knowing when to plant bare root roses can make a difference, as they differ slightly from planting other types of roses. So it’s important to follow some basic instructions carefully. That’s what I’m going through in this post.

First, we’ll discuss when to plant bare root roses, then we’ll head on to how to plant bare root roses that will give them the best chance possible.

When to plant bare root roses

Generally, bare root roses grow best when planted between January and May in most zones. Certainly by late March to early April. This allows time for them to acclimatize and become established for blooming in summer. Avoid frozen or waterlogged ground, further frosts, or droughts periods.

For the U.S, here’s a table indicating the best time to plant bare root roses based on your growing zone.

Growing Zone	When to plant bare root roses
1	First two weeks in May
2	First two weeks in May
3	Last two weeks in April
4	Middle two weeks in April
5	First two weeks of April
6	Last two weeks in March
7	First two weeks of March
8	Last two weeks of February
9	First two weeks of February
10	January to Early February
11+	January or Early February

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A bare root rose is best planted when it is leafless and has been cut back. This is so that when it starts to grow, all its energy can go into developing roots, rather than leaves.

A rose that is “forced” to grow too quickly will be weak and will not bloom as well as one that has been given time to develop a strong root system.

For roses in general, here’s my guide on the best month to plant roses.

Planting bare root roses out of season

If you decide to plant bare root roses out of the recommended season, there are a few things you can do to help them survive.

If the ground is frozen when you want to plant, you can warm it up by covering the planting area with black plastic for a week or two before you plant. This will raise the temperature of the soil and make it easier for the roots to get established.

If the weather is very hot when you want to plant, it’s a good idea to soak the roots in water for 12 – 24 hours before planting – that’s my recommendation. This will help them to stay hydrated and make it easier for them to get established and ready for the hot weather.

Of course, planting bare root roses out of season comes with risks, as planting in hot weather is not ideal. If you can, try to find a shady spot to plant in, or wait until the weather cools down a bit before planting.

You might actually find bare root roses difficult to get hold of outside the normal planting season simply due to low demand.

Here’s my guide on planting roses in cold climates which also provides some options of roses to plant.

When to plant bare root roses in the U.K.

The best time to plant bare root roses in the U.K. is between November and March. This is because the weather is cooler and the plants are not actively growing. Planting during this time gives the plants a chance to get established before the hot weather comes.

When to plant bare root roses in Australia

The best time to plant bare root roses in Australia is between March and May. This is because the weather is cooler and the plants are not actively growing. Planting between March and May gives the rose enough chance to become established before the hotter weather starts again.

That’s when to plant bare root roses. So now we can move on to how to plant bare root roses. But before planting your bare root rose, you need to make sure it’s still in good health. Here’s what to do.

Checking that the bare root rose is alive

When you first get your bare root roses, they may not look like much. But there are a few things you can check to make sure they’re alive and well.

First, look at the stems. They should be plump and moist, not dried out or shriveled. Then, gently scratch the bark of the stem with your fingernail. If it’s green underneath, that’s a good sign.

Finally, take a close look at the buds. They should be firm, not mushy or blackened. If they pass all of these tests, your bare root roses are alive and ready to plant!

All being well, let’s look at how to plant bare root roses.

How to plant bare root roses

When you are ready to plant your bare root rose, follow the simple instructions below…

1. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for at least an hour, and up to 24 hours before planting. This will help them to rehydrate and be less “stressed” when planted.

2. Choose a planting site that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. All roses need plenty of sunlight to thrive and bare root roses are no different.

3. Prepare the planting site by removing all weeds and loosening the soil with a spade or rototiller. This is pretty standard for any rose planting.

4. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the roots of your rose. This also allows you to add more nutritious soil around the rose if needed. Loosen up the soil at the bottom of the hole so that the roots

5. Place the rose in the hole so that the graft union (the thickened area where the roots were attached to the plant) is 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Some people put this lower so there is some flexibility.

6. Fill in the hole with loose, well-draining soil. Add other elements to the soil if required, such as more loam, or some manure. Firm the soil around the plant gently with your hands.

7. Water the rose deeply, making sure to saturate the roots. Repeat watering every few days during the first growing season.

8. Fertilize the rose regularly, starting when new growth appears in spring and continuing throughout the growing season. Use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus to encourage root development.

When to plant bare root roses, and how – Some hints and tips:

Here are some of my tips and hints for planting bare root roses:

• Planting bare root roses when the weather is cooler is better, as the plant can focus on growing roots rather than leaves. Again, this is usually late winter or early spring.
• Be sure to plant your rose in a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Roses need at least six hours of sunlight per day to thrive.
• Mulch around the rose to help with moisture retention and to offer protection from any further frosts.
• Water regularly during the first growing season, unless there is still frost occurring.
• Fertilize regularly as well. A good rule of thumb is to use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen when the plant is actively growing and then switch to a fertilizer that is high in potassium when the plant is dormant.

Once planted, how long does it take bare root roses to grow?

Bare root roses generally bloom in 10-12 weeks, if good planting practices have been followed. You can break off any rose buds before this to re-direct the plant’s energy to more root and foliage development. Be aware that blooms in the first year may be minimal though.

See my more complete article on whether bare root roses bloom in the first year.

How often do I water bare root roses?

Bare root roses need to be watered deeply and regularly for the first few weeks after planting – providing there is no frost. Once established, you can reduce the watering frequency, but continue to water deeply. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the soil is dry to the touch before watering again.

Just be sure that the roots are not sitting in water, you can tell this by testing the ground around the rose before watering. If it’s still damp then wait a little longer before watering.

You could follow my complete guide on when to water roses. Also, you could check my guide on watering roses in hot weather.

Do I need to fertilize bare root roses?

Fertilizing your roses will give them a nutrient boost and encourage growth. I recommend using an organic fertilizer like compost or horse manure when you first plant your bare root roses.

After that, you can use a balanced fertilizer like this one every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging, though.

Is it hard to grow bare root roses?

No, it’s not hard to grow bare root roses. But, like with any living thing, they do require some care and attention. Be sure to plant them in a location that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day, water regularly (deeply), and fertilize occasionally. With this simple care, bare root roses will seem easy to grow.

Here’s more on the types of roses you could consider growing.

When to plant bare root roses – More roses help 🌹

Following these tips should help you have success when planting bare root roses. Be sure to check out my other articles. Happy rose gardening!