CARING FOR YOUR BARE ROOT ROSES
Our simple, time tested steps for planting and caring for bare root roses.
Growing Bare Root Roses
Thank you for choosing our roses for your garden. We are in love with garden roses and hope you find endless joy in growing these beautiful flowers. There is nothing more special than a garden grown flower and we're dedicated to making it simple for you to achieve the roses of your dreams.
We have included videos on this page for you to refer to or you can follow our guide below. Please remember that there is no right or wrong way to grow roses, so if you have found ways to help your roses thrive, please continue the practices that you know work for your garden.
With love and gratitude,
Gracie, Ryan & Seraphina
About Our Garden Roses
When you chose to purchase roses from Grace Rose Farm, you joined other rose lovers in an exploration of new varieties! We specialize in debuting brand new roses for American gardeners and rarely offer roses that are widely available elsewhere. Our bare root roses are field grown for two years and tested for two to four years prior to planting for gardeners. Each variety goes through rigorous research and development by our breeders to ensure your success. Our farm currently trials over 1,000 rose varieties that are known for their extended vase life, fragrance, health and desirability. When you plant a rose from Grace Rose Farm, you're one of the first to grow these coveted, new varieties.
Our bare root roses have been hand inspected by industry leaders after harvest. Each rose has been visually checked for disease and certified by experts. Our farm extends a 3 Year Warranty should your roses not thrive with the proper care.
We are proud to bring gardeners beautiful roses and are grateful for the outpouring of enthusiasm for our roses!
Receiving Your Bare Root Roses
Upon receiving your bare root roses, you will find them carefully packed with moist roots. Each cane should have 3 to 5 bright pinkish oval areas known as buds, which signal that the roses are primed for growth. Your roses have been professionally treated with fungicide to prevent unwanted disease. You should not spray your roses with anything when you receive them.
We have pruned out small and crossing canes, but if you notice any spindly canes, don’t hesitate to trim them off to promote healthier growth. The graft union, which feels like a knot where the intended rose variety was grafted onto the rootstock, should be firm and solid. The bud union can have “stretch marks” on it where the plant has grown - this is normal.
As soon as your roses arrive, it's optimal to plant them right away. Use the time while you wait for their arrival to plan the perfect planting location and gather your necessary tools and any soil amendments you may need. If you're planting multiple roses in a location, give them at least 2' on each side for growth. Overcrowding roses is a recipe for disease and causing roses not to grow to their full potential. A rose in full sun with ample space around it is a happy rose!
If you find that you cannot plant your roses immediately, keep the roses in a cool, dark area for a period of 2-3 days, ensuring the temperature remains steady between 33°F and 35°F. If you don't have place to store them that cold, you may soak your roses per below. The plastic bag your roses came in is a good place to keep them, as long as it is tied up to create humidity. Avoid direct sunlight and warmth, as these conditions can trigger undesired early growth.
Soaking Before Planting
Prior to planting, soak your rose’s roots in a bucket of water for 2-3 hours. Do not add anything to the water that could shock your roses (Superthrive, B vitamins, bleach). This soaking process is crucial as it helps to rehydrate the roots and canes, ensuring the plant is prepared for the transition to soil. Keep the roots submerged until you are ready to place your rose in the ground. We recommend you soak your roses for no longer than a day or two, but if you can't plant them right away, make sure you change out the water so it doesn’t grow bacteria. Roses can remain in a bucket or water out of the sun in cool conditions for a prolonged period of time so long as the water is changed regularly.
Planting Your Bare Root Roses
Locate a sunny area that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight in the warm seasons. All roses thrive best in full sun! Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root system to give the roots ample space to spread out. This means your hole could be 24-30" wide. A large hole is essential for growth, especially for those who have clay or very dense soil. In the center of this hole, create a cone shape for the roots to comfortably rest. If your soil is composed of hard clay, using a pitchfork to gently break up the sides of the hole can aid the roots in spreading and thriving more efficiently. Position the bud union right at or just below the soil level—typically about 2 inches deep, depending on your climate's conditions.
Zones 7-11 may plant the bud union at the soil level. Zones 6 and below should plant the bud union 2" below the soil line.
If gophers or other burrowing animals are an issue, now is the time when you would put a gopher basket into your hole. Position the roots evenly to promote healthy root growth. While securing the canes with one hand, pour water over the roots to eliminate air pockets and allow it to drain.
Next, backfill the hole with a mix of your native soil and compost. You can use a gentle, organic planting fertilizer such as EB Stone Sure Start or Bio-tone Starter to fortify your soil and give your rose a great head start. Follow the instructions on the packaging and do not exceed the recommended amount. A little goes a long way. We use mycorrhizae at our farm and have seen excellent root growth and quick top growth from our roses when used at planting. Firm the soil down gently to ensure stability, then add a layer of mulch around the plant. Finally, give the ground a thorough watering. You may create a circular “wall” or moat around your rose with soil to keep the water in place. You may need to water more the same day or in subsequent days as your rose settles so as to remove air pockets in the soil.
If the graft union is above ground, lightly cover it with a loose layer of soil to keep it hydrated during the initial weeks. This practice will also encourage bud break. You may mound the soil around the canes to a depth of about 8 to 10 inches for 2 to 3 weeks or until you observe new growth. Once you notice foliage, carefully spread out the soil or wash it away, taking care not to disturb any emerging growth. Remember, mounding is only necessary during the initial planting period.
Please follow our directions for spring feeding and care, but do not fertilize until there is at least 1” of new leaf growth on your newly planted roses. It will take several weeks for your roses to get settled in. We are here to assist you if you have questions!
