Planting a bare root shrub rose; step-by-step guide

As long as the ground is not frozen or water-logged now is a good time to plant your bare root roses. So follow the guidance – shared by David Austin Roses – get planting and look forward to a summer of blooms!

Where to plant your bare root shrub roses

Select where your rose is going to go. We recommend following these guidelines:

Make sure the rose has some sun, ideally at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. Generally, the more sun the better. However, in the hottest areas, shade from the afternoon sun can be beneficial.

Ensure the rose has enough space, so that the roots do not suffer from intense competition from neighbouring plants, including trees and hedges.

Roses are incredibly versatile plants and can be planted in an array of different positions.

To plant your rose you will need:

Spade
Fork
Large bucket of water
Watering can
Well rotted manure
Mycorrhizal fungi

How to plant your bare root shrub rose:

: Step 1: Rehydrate your rose in a bucket of water for a minimum of 2 hours prior to planting.

: Step 2: Prepare the soil Dig over the soil thoroughly, using the garden fork and remove any weeds or large stones. This will ensure that the new roots can venture freely into their new environment. Roses will grow in all soil types

: Step 3: Dig a hole big enough for the rose’s roots, approximately 16″ wide by 16″ deep (40x40cm), using a spade.

: Step 4: Break up the soil at the base of the hole with a fork, and mix a spadeful of well-rotted manure or Carr’s Organic Soil Improver in with the soil at the bottom of the hole. Also, mix two spadefuls of soil improver with the soil removed from the hole.

: Step 5: Remove the bare root rose from the bucket of water and whilst holding the rose over the planting hole, sprinkle the roots with Mycorrhizal Fungi.

: Step 6: Position the rose in the centre of the hole. The bottom of the stems should be 2″ (5cm) below the top of the hole – use a bamboo cane to help.

: Step 7: Backfill around the roots of the rose, using the soil that was originally dug to make the hole. Then, lightly firm the soil around the rose with your foot.