10 Common Rose Planting Mistakes
This January has been unseasonably sunny and dry, and our roses are already beginning to push out buds—it looks like spring will be arriving early around here! At the farm, we're in the thick of bare root rose season this weekend, working hard to prepare and start fulfilling orders on Monday. I'm so excited to begin sending roses your way very soon!
Last week, we went through step-by-step how to plant bare root roses. This week, we're getting practical. It's time to dig deeper and talk about—the most common mistakes people make when planting bare root roses.
When done properly, planting bare root roses can result in thriving plants bursting with blooms. However, I've noticed a few recurring mistakes over the years, often spotted when customers send us photos asking for troubleshooting advice. Not to worry—I'm here to help! This week, I'm walking you through how to avoid these 10 common pitfalls made when planting bare root roses so you will be ready to give your roses the best possible start.
1. Choosing the Wrong Variety For Your Location
Not all roses thrive in every climate. Select a variety suited to your region—some roses prefer cooler temperatures, while others do better in warm weather. Research your local conditions to choose a rose that will flourish in your garden.
2. Planting at the Wrong Time
Timing is everything! Plant your rose during the recommended growing window for your zone. Planting outside this timeframe can make it harder for the rose to get established. You can find my recommended shipping and planting dates here: Recommended Planting Dates.
3. Improper Storage Before Planting
If you're not planting your rose immediately, store it properly to avoid mold, decay, or drying out. Bare root roses can lose their stored energy quickly if left in poor conditions. For tips on storage, check out my blog post: What To Do If You Can't Plant Your Bare Root Rose Right Away.
4. Choosing the Wrong Spot To Plant
Roses love sunlight—make sure your planting spot gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily in well drained soil. Avoid planting near gravel, pavement, or stones, which can reflect heat and stress your rose.
5. Poor Soil Preparation
Healthy soil is key to a thriving rose. Test your soil to make sure it's suitable for planting. Remove bark, rocks and debris from the base, as colored bark and treated mulch can block moisture or introduce harmful chemicals. Instead, use compost or loose wood mulch to keep the base healthy. Need a soil test kit? Check out my favorite one here: Soil Test Kit.
6. Planting in Herbicide-Treated Soil
Residual herbicides in your planting area can harm your rose's health. Make sure the soil is free of these chemicals to give your plant the best chance to thrive.
7. Incorrect Planting Depth
Planting depth depends on the type of rose. For grafted roses, plant the bud union 2-3 inches below the ground in cold regions and 1-2 inches above the ground in warmer climates. For own root roses, plant to the base of the canes. Make sure to bury all of the roots in the soil. No roots should be left exposed above the ground.
8. Neglecting Hydration
Bare root roses need plenty of water, especially when first planted - even in the winter especially if there is no rain. Dry roses will struggle to establish. Soak the roots before planting, water overhead daily until buds push and keep the canes moist. Note that container-planted roses dry out faster than those in the ground - make sure to check on them daily and water more often.
9. Ignoring Dieback
If you notice browning or blackening on the canes, this is a sign of dieback. Dieback can result from poor planting, frost damage, or lack of water, so give your rose some TLC if you see this happening. Trim the brown areas down to green, healthy growth immediately to prevent it from spreading.
10. Forgetting Cold or Heat Protection
Protect your newly planted roses from hard freezes (below 28°F) by covering them with a bucket, rubbermaid tub, or frost cloth. In hot weather, especially if you're planting late in the season when temperatures are above 70°F, provide shade or heat protection to help the roots establish without stress. Bare root roses should transition out of dormancy gradually, starting with cooler temperatures before moving into warmer conditions.
Alright, friend—this week's action step is here: take a moment to review your plans for planting your bare root roses and adjust as needed to avoid those common mistakes we talked about. Double-check the varieties on your list, confirm your planting location gets plenty of sunlight, grab a soil test kit, and make sure you have everything you need to give your roses the best start. Need supplies? I've rounded up all of my favorite tools and products for bare root rose planting!
And with that, we're officially wrapping up our monthly theme of bare root rose planting. Next month, we're diving into dormant pruning, so stay tuned for all the advice you'll need to shape your already established roses in the garden for the season ahead. Until then, happy planting, and as always, I'm here for any questions. Please drop any dormant pruning questions you have for me to tackle next month. Let's make this your most beautiful rose season yet!
THE LIST: THINGS I'M LOVING THIS WEEK
- I had a great time at my in-person dormant pruning workshop this weekend but man, it was COLD. I don't know how I would have made it through without my trusty HotHands. They're an absolute essential for any winter gardener's toolkit!
- Winter's COLD, dry air has left my hands tired and cracking from hours of pruning and sorting bare root roses. To keep them hydrated, I rely on my two favorite creams—one a splurge ($$$$), the other a budget-friendly pick ($). I've always been a high-low kind of gal!
- My son got this indoor hoop for Christmas and it's become such a fun activity for the whole family to play when it's too COLD outside.
- Are you getting the theme here this week…it's COLD! I know the rest of the country is snowing and freezing too. It's officially beanie season for me, and this one has been my go-to for staying warm while working in our bare root rose coolers. It's sooooo soft. Stay cozy out there!
STAY WARM THIS WEEK,
JOIN THE FUN!
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Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography
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