Learn How to Plant Roses, The Simple Way. Sharing some easy tips to help get your roses off to a great start.

Oh Roses, how lovely are you. I plant them all over my property. As a new gardener, they intimidated me quite a bit. You always read or hear gardeners talk about their specific maintenance for these flowers. Techniques for cutting them, fertilizing, or not fertilizing.

It tends to give off the impression that roses are finicky flowers to grow. Although their tips can help make us more advance in our rose care, they certainly can veer us away from ever planting them at all.

However, I have found there really is no need to be so intimidated by roses. They are like any flower that requires sun or anything that needs tending to for that matter. Proper plant food, water, and a sunny spot in your garden. But first, let’s get into planting them. This is a simple straightforward way to get them started off right in your garden. Because the first step towards growing roses is just to plant them. The rest you can figure out as you go.

Types of Roses

There are many types of roses. Some climbers, some small or large. Tea-style roses are some of my favorites. In my garden, I have a variety of both climbing and tea styles. I grow modern roses as they are easier to find and are much more affordable since they are so common. It’s important to understand that there are 3 main rose categories. Modern, old, and wild.

Old Roses are often referred to as either historic or antique roses. Old Garden Roses date back to the 1800s. They are extra hardy, bloom once per season, and emit a strong fragrance in bloom. They are also disease resistant.
Modern Roses are those that were breed post-1867 and took the place of the old garden rose. There are a few distinctions between the two varieties. Modern roses continuously bloom and offer a larger bloom size. They have a longer vase life yet are less hardy and fragrant.
Wild Roses lack any cross-breeding or hybridization of the modern rose. The distinct quality of a wild rose is its color as they are almost always pink, has 5 petals, and has a single bloom.

What You Will Need To Plant Roses

Shovel

Garden Gloves

Bulb Fuel Fertilizer or Bone Meal

a rose plant

water

Directions

Pick a sunny spot in your yard and make sure that’s where you want the plant before starting. This seems obvious but Roses don’t like to be moved so be sure to pick the right spot. You can also opt to plant them in a pot and do the same steps when you plant.

Make sure the sight is in full sun or at a minimum of 6 or more hours of sun per day. Roses love the sun for the most part but some varieties will grow in partial shade. Make sure to choose the correct type for your needs.

Dig

Dig a hole about that is a bit wider than but equally as deep as the root ball of the rose.

Prep the Hole

Before placing it in scoop some of the bulb fuel into the hole and mix it around (as pictured). I normally like to use Jobes Organic Granular Fertilizer but today I only have this Vigoro bulb food. It will have to work. For this brand, it calls for a tbsp per sq ft. I add just over that amount when planting mine. If using bone meal you will just follow the suggested amount on the package for the type you decide to use.

Placing the Rose

Take the Rose out of the container and loosen the roots a bit. Place it in the hole. When planting makes sure that the graft union is slightly below the soil line.

Final Steps

After placing the soil in the hole gently pat it around the base to make sure it is snuggly in its new home. Make sure to water it generously after planting. Continue watering your rose about every other day for a week or so. This will help the rose to establish its root system. You can opt to mulch around the rose at the base to keep it happy and help with weed control.

FAQ

How often do I water freshly planted roses?

For newly planted roses, be sure to water them every two to three days. For established roses water once or twice per week.

When is the best time to plant roses?

Roses can be planted any time of year. However, avoid extreme weather conditions such as excessive rain or extreme heat periods. I try to plant during the beginning of fall or springtime for most new plants that I want to establish in the garden. Temps are usually mid and easier to establish new plants.

How often do I feed roses?

Twice per year is sufficient for roses. The first should be at the beginning of the growing season and the second directly after the first bloom cycle has been completed.

Where is the best place to plant roses?

Find a sunny spot as roses like the sunshine. Be sure to avoid places that have any competing plants. As a general rule plant them 2 feet from other roses and 3 feet away from other plants. Avoid windy areas which cause the base to loosen in the soil.

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