When it comes to bare root rose care, we don’t mess around. Here's everything you need to know to get started with your bare root roses.
When Your Roses Arrive: Open the box ASAP. If you can’t plant right away, keep roots cool and moist in their bag up to a few days max. Mist the canes daily until you plant.
Hydration = happiness.
Rehydrate First: Soak the whole plant (roots + canes) in cool water for 8–24 hours before planting. Roots are most important here- if you can’t dunk the whole thing, submerge the roots and keep the canes misted. No shortcuts here—this step is mission-critical.
In-Ground Instructions: Prep the site by removing weeds and stones. Make sure the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Dig a hole much larger than you think you’ll need - at least 20" wide x 20" deep. When in doubt, dig more. Seriously. Don’t cheat this step. Fill the bottom 6 inches with aged manure or compost. Save ½ of the soil that came from the hole and mix it 50/50 with a good mulch or peat moss. Add a heaping scoop of Alfalfa pellets. Give this all a good mix with your shovel.
Now, remove your magical mix from the hole (yes, seriously) leaving just a small mound in the center. Place your bare root rose on the mound with the roots spread out. Graft union (the knobby bit) should sit 2" below soil in cold climates, or at/just above soil in warm zones. Now you can backfill. Leave a 2- to 3-inch mound to compensate for the soil settling later. Give it a slow, deep soak to settle everything in.
Pot Instructions: Pick a big pot. Minimum 20" wide and 20" deep, with good drainage.
Use loam-based compost (1/3) and a high-quality potting mix (2/3). Do not use garden soil (it holds too much water), and avoid mixes with granular fertilizer. Graft union should sit 2" below the surface in cold climates, or just above the surface in warm climates.
Aftercare: Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy, for the first 4–6 weeks. Mist canes daily until you see new growth. First summer? Water twice a week, more if it’s hot.
Mulch: Add 2–3" mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds mad.
No Fertilizer for 6 Weeks: Let the roots settle. After that, go wild with rose food.
Pruning & Patience: They’ll look like sad sticks at first. That’s normal. Once growth starts, prune out weak/dead canes and shape things up. Deadhead to keep blooms coming.