Planting Container Roses

‘Gold Medal’

Our roses for 2021 have arrived! Here is our inventory list.

Container-grown roses can be planted anytime during the growing season but the optimal time to do it is right now through February. This allows the plants to get settled in and develop strong roots.

Follow these steps and you should have beautiful roses by June.

DOs

1. Site Selection – Roses love sun and need at least 5 hours of direct sun for good blooms.
2. Prepare the planting hole – There is an old saying that goes something like this – “Never put a $10 plant in a 10¢ hole.” There is great wisdom behind that and you and your plants will be happier if you don’t slack on the planting hole. If there is grass in the planting spot, remove it and be sure to get all the roots out. Dig a hole about 2 feet wide and 18 inches deep. Chances are, the soil will be average (and more than likely clay) so add organic material such as compost or well-rotted manure. Ideally, add 1 part of organic material to 2 parts native soil. ((Adding bone meal to the planting hole has always been common advice as it provides phosphate. However, recent studies have shown that our soils already have sufficient quantities present for growing roses.))
3. Positioning and planting the rose – Gently ease the rose out of the pot and place it in the hole so that the top soil level is even with the surrounding ground. Refill the hole around the rose. Mound enough soil over the rose to slightly cover the bud union (this is the bulbous growth that you see at the bottom center of the rose). Sometimes, after removing the rose from the container, the root ball will collapse. If this happens, don’t panic! You now have a bareroot rose. Just mound the soil in the hole into a cone shaped dome. Place the rose over the cone and the roots will naturally fan downward. Gently replace the soil and tamp down lightly over the roots as you progress.
4.  Mulching – After planting, spread a layer of mulch (wood chips, pine straw, etc.) around the perimeter of the rose and extending out for several feet.
5. Watering – After planting, water well – at least 3 gallons. It might be helpful to form a basin around the base of the rose so that water will not run off. Continue to water every 3-5 days if there is no rain.

‘Double Delight’

DON’T’s

• Do not fertilize at this time. The organic matter that you add to the planting hole is sufficient for now. Right now, root growth is what we are concentrating on. Tips on fertilizing roses after growth has started will be included in a future post.
• Pruning – Hybrid tea roses that you purchase now have already been pruned. You should trim back any wayward or broken branches if there are any.

In a few weeks, we will provide some instructions on pruning older roses.