Give your Roses
a Head Start!
Planting Requirements
for a New Rose
A new rose bush can provide decades of beauty and enjoyment
if properly planted and tended. The planting requirements
for a new rose are both simple and important. The first months
in a new home are crucial for the plant’s survival.
While it’s true that roses will grow and thrive without
the benefit of your expertise, a little knowledge can go
a long way.
When you receive your new rosebush, chances are it will
be un-planted and its roots wrapped in moss. It is very important
that you keep the plant moist and cold until you are able
to plant it properly. For example, a basement is an ideal
place for an unplanted rose bush. While a rose bush can survive
outside of the soil for an extended time, it is also very
important that you plant it as soon as possible.
Rose bushes are usually sold in the winter while dormant.
They begin to grow and bloom in the springtime and it is
crucial that they are planted before this occurs. Your rosebush
should be securely rooted in the ground before springtime,
when new shoots begin to grow. Generally, March and April
are ideal months for planting.
The first step in planting your new rose is finding a good
place to put it in the ground. Your rose should get at least
6 hours of sun each day, and should be planted in soil with
good drainage. You can check the drainage of your soil with
a simple test: dig a hole that is 12 inches deep, fill it
with water and wait for the water to drain. Once the water
has drained, refill the hole, if it is empty in less than
two hours your soil has excellent drainage!
In addition to drainage, roses have other specific soil
requirements. They prefer a more acidic soil with a pH ranging
from 5.8 to 6.3. If your soil is too acidic—or too
basic—you may ask your local nursery what you can add
to the soil in order to correct the problem. Pine needles
and lime are both acidifying agents that you may find in
your own home or garden shed!
If you are planting more than one bush in your garden, be
sure that they are reasonably far apart. Remember, they will
grow and air will need to circulate between them to keep
them disease free. Rose bushes will crowd each other out
if planted too close together. The distance between the bushes
ranges from two to ten feet, depending on the type of bush.
Ask about the specific spacing for your new rose bush at
the nursery at the time of purchase.
Weed your garden bed and clear it of plant debris and waste
before planting. A clean garden bed means less likelihood
of pests and disease ravaging your beautiful roses. They
will not tolerate root competition, especially from heavy
feeders like grass. Also, if it has not already been done,
prune back the roots of your rose bush one half inch; this
will encourage new growth.
Soak your new rose bush in water for 24 hours before planting
in order to prepare it for the change. Make sure to dig a
hole that is at least two square feet for your rose. Build
a small mound of dirt in the center of the hole and spread
the roots out on top of it. In colder climates, the roots
should be buried slightly deeper than in warmer Southern
climates.
Once you have planted your rose, mulch the area surrounding
it. Remember to leave a space of several inches around the
rose clear of mulch. If mulch is placed too close to the
plant, rotting can occur. Mulch is organic plant matter that
spreads nutrients to the soil surrounding the rose as water
runs through it. It is a natural and simple way to improve
your soil!
The first few days after transplantation are the most crucial.
You should build a small basin of dirt around the base of
your rose bush in order to help it to retain water. Water
the rosebush daily for the first week after transplantation.
After this week, water every three days adjusting to the
weather.
Once you begin to see new shoots coming out of the mound
of dirt surrounding your rose, it is time to wash the mound
away. Your rose bush is growing, this is good! But you must
continue to care for your rose throughout its life. Rose
specific fertilizers can be found in any drug store and should
be added to the soil around your rose bush every two to three
months.
By following these planting instructions you are ensuring
a healthy, stable rose bush that will beautify your garden
for years! A new rose bush is like a baby, while it requires
a lot of love and attention at first, it will grow stronger
and more independent with time and you will surely be proud
of the results!
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