Plant Care

View our full guide on planting a bare root rose here.

One of the most important factors in the performance of a bare-root rose is proper hydration. If possible, soak your roses overnight before potting.

Always prune your roses before planting. Cut the canes to an 8″ to 10″ length from the bud union, if budded, or the same length from the top of the root mass if they are own root roses. Also, remove any dead or broken canes and tip the roots.

Soil mixes vary in the different regions of the country, but a good rule of thumb is 1/3 peat, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 bark. The mix should be moisture retentive but well drained.

Pot size should at least 12 inches or larger to prevent roots from becoming pot bound.

Roses need at least one inch of water a week. Check the moisture level by hand and water as needed to keep plants moist. Water the pot and avoid wetting the leaves. Also, make sure that your roses have good air circulation.

It is best to fertilize potted roses after they have developed 3″ to 5″ of new growth. Do not fertilize or add root stimulator at the time of planting. Instead, we recommend fertilizing after each bloom cycle with a balanced fertilizer (13-13-13).

A hybrid tea rose bush is medium to tall in habit and produces large well-formed blooms, usually borne singly on sturdy stems that are suitable for cutting. Hybrid teas are best planted in mixed beds or as a single plant.

A grandiflora is similar to a hybrid tea, but develop large well-formed clusters of flowers on sturdy stems that may be suitable for cutting. Grandifloras are best planted in mixed beds or as a single plant.

A floribunda rose is a free flowering plant that generates generous clusters of medium size blooms. The plant is often compact in habit with medium length stems. Use in mass plantings and borders.

A climbing rose grows with long canes that can be trained to grow on trellises, fences, and walls. The blooms sizes and forms vary.

A shrub rose is a very strong blooming plant with a varied range in bloom sizes. The size of the plant also varies, but the overall shape is attractive. The plant is usually disease resistant, hardy, and, generally, not budded.