What To Expect From Your Roses The First Year
Welcome to another week of my First Year Bare Root Rose Care series. So far, we've chatted about two super important topics: getting your fertilizing routine just right and tackling dieback. This week, we're diving into what to expect from your bare root rose during its first year in your garden. Spoiler alert: it's all about those roots!
The first year is a big one for your rose—it's settling in, putting down roots (literally), and getting ready to thrive. I've got all the tips and insights to help you know what's normal, what to do, and how to set your rose up for long-term success. Let's dig in!
Slow and Steady Wins the Race: The first year with bare root roses is all about building a strong foundation. When you plant them, they're starting fresh, focusing all their energy on establishing roots instead of blooming or rapid growth. You might see a new few canes and leaves pop up the first month or two, but don't expect a full, lush plant just yet. Think of this stage as behind-the-scenes growth—there's a lot happening under the soil! Patience is key, and all this groundwork will pay off in the years ahead when your rose is fully established and ready to thrive.
Early Growth: Leaves, Canes, and Red Shoots: As the weather warms up, you'll start to notice early signs of life—small leaves, slender canes, and possibly even red, feather-like growth sprouting from the canes. This is completely normal! Those red shoots are new growth that will eventually develop into the strong canes that support your beautiful blooms. If the leaves appear small or the canes seem spindly, don't worry—your rose is still settling in and focusing on survival. Newly planted roses, especially bare-root ones, prioritize establishing themselves before putting energy into tall growth or dense foliage. As long as you see red & green growth emerging, your rose is on the right track. It's a sign your rose is healthy and ready to take off—so don't remove them; they're the future of your rose plant. Over the next few weeks or months, you'll notice the growth becoming thicker and more robust as the plant adjusts to its new environment.
Fewer Blooms: Let me temper your expectations - some bare root rose varieties will be stingy with the blooms in their first year. (Some are abundant - this is where variety selection does make a big difference.) Most of the plant's energy is going toward building a healthy root system and sturdy canes. If you're in a cooler growing zone or have a shorter growing season, you will likely see less blooms the first year on your roses than a grower in a warmer climate. Roses flush, aka replenish blooms every 6-8 weeks, so if you are in a climate with a shorter growing season you will have less opportunities to have the roses flush throughout the year. But trust me, it's worth the wait! The real show starts in the second and third years, when your rose will be established in its new home and ready to bust with blooms. In the meantime, if you do see a blooms the first year, deadhead (remove after it blooms) consistently to encourage new growth. The more you deadhead, the more blooms you'll get.
Focus on Establishment: The first year is all about setting up your rose for long-term success, and that means helping it establish a deep, healthy root system. Make sure to water deeply and consistently—this encourages the roots to grow down into the soil. Avoid heavy pruning in-season the first year; just remove any dead or damaged canes you see pop up and do simple deadheading. You can proceed with regular dormant pruning the first winter season after planting. If you notice the tips of the canes drying out or turning brown, don't panic! That's called dieback, and it's totally normal after planting. It's just your rose adjusting to its new home and prioritizing root growth over top growth. If you missed last week's newsletter about dieback, be sure to check it out for more details!
Looking Ahead: By the second year, your bare root roses will really start to shine. After a full growing season to establish their roots, the plants will be much stronger and ready for more significant growth. You'll notice thicker canes, fuller foliage and more flushes of blooms. Remember that roses are a long-term investment. Their first year might seem slow, but that's simply the foundation being built for years of beauty. Give them the time they need to establish themselves properly, and they will reward you with a lifetime of blooms, fragrance and garden joy.
This Week's Action Step is to monitor the growth your new bare roots. Water them daily overhead until you see those buds starting to push. Trim back any dieback, and if you're lucky enough to have blooms already, go ahead and deadhead. If some of your roses seem to be progressing slower than others, don't stress—that's completely normal. Roses, much like little cute baby humans, develop at their on pace on the growth chart. Stick to your care routine, and trust that the roots are working hard to get established. Patience is key!
Next week, we'll wrap up this month's bare root rose care theme with one last topic: soil testing. It's a game-changer for long-term success for the roses in your garden, so you won't want to miss it. Wishing you a very LUCKY week!
THE LIST: THINGS I'M LOVING THIS WEEK
- I went to a beautiful BOOK launch party for my friend Lena last week. She co-wrote and illustrated a children's book, Sloane Understands, about processing feelings. It's been my kids' bedtime story of choice all week.
- Quick St. Patrick's Day SNACK idea for kids (or the kid at heart): Create a rainbow platter with Rolos for "gold" and marshmallows clouds at the end. So fun and easy! My kids love this combo and expect me to make it every year.
- I've been sharing my favorite rose-scented things lately, and this Homecourt SOAP is at the top of my list! The fragrance is like stepping into an English rose garden. Yes, it's $$$$, but it's worth every penny. I keep it in my guest bath and we have it in our nursery boutique too - visitors always compliment the scent.
- Grabbed a few of these button-down blouses. They're perfect for transitioning from winter to spring and packing for Spring Break. They have the cutest little floral embroidery—I love adding a HINT of florals to my closet. They're oversized, so size down if you prefer a smaller fit. I went with a Medium since I like mine baggy.
- Sunday Self Care: A cozy cup of tea in a CUTE mug is just what I needed with all this cold, rainy weather. March is truly living up to that "in like a lion" saying.
CHEERS,
JOIN THE FUN!
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Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography
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