Planting Guide

We are delighted that your rose has arrived safely. To help ensure that your new rose thrives in your garden we have created this comprehensive planting guide. With advice on how to plant your rose, when and how to carry out essential rose care, and some of our favourite inspirational articles, we are sure you will find everything you need to start enjoying your rose.


PRE-PLANTING ADVICE 

Are you ready to plant your roses?

YES - Before planting your bare root rose, you will need to soak it for a minimum of two hours.

NO - Keep the inner bag sealed and in a cool place until you are ready to plant. Plant within two weeks of receipt.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you ordered more than one rose, they will be tied together. Be sure to separate them before planting.

David Austin Bare Root Roses held up
David Austin Bare Root Roses held up

When to plant

your bare root roses

Bare root roses can be planted between November and April. The only time we recommend that you don't plant is when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions.

how to plant your rose

YOU WILL NEED

Garden fork & spade

Bucket 

Watering can

Soil improver (or well-rotted manure)

 

QUICK PLANTING GUIDE

Step 1: Rehydrate your rose and pick a planting spot

Soak your bare root rose for a minimum of two hours before you start planting.

Meanwhile, pick a spot where your rose will receive at least 4 hours of sun a day and make sure there is enough surrounding space for the rose to grow without competiton from nearby trees or hedges.

Step 2: Prepare the soil

Prepare the soil in the positon where your rose is going to be planted. Dig it over with a garden fork, removing any weeds or large stones. Follow this by digging a hole in your desired position that measures 40cm x 40cm. Add a spadeful of soil improver or well-rotted manure to your freshly dug hole.

Step 3: Position your rose

Remove your rose from its soaking bucket and sprinkle Mycorrhizal Fungi over the roots. Postion your rose so that the stems are about 5cm below the top of the hole.

Step 4: Fill in the planting hole and water

To finish off, backfill around the roots of the rose using the mix of soil and soil improver. Lightly step over the soil to firm it. Lastly, water generously.

What next?

Feeding 

Feed your rose twice a year, once in early April and then again after the first flush of flowers in July. Sprinkle 30g of feed onto the soil around the base of the rose, spreading to the width of the canopy. Mix into the surrounding soil and water generously. For more information on feeding, watch our handy video guide here

 

Deadheading

During the flowering season remove a finished bloom by pinching or cutting off the flower just below where the base of the flower joins the stem. After a flush of flowers, remove the finished flower heads by cutting the stem just above the first leaf with five leaflets, creating a rounded shape as you go. For more information on how to deadhead your roses, watch our handy video guide here.

 

Mulching 

After feeding your rose, water the surrounding soil and then apply a 1-2" layer of mulch around the base of the rose, spreading it to the width of the canopy. For mulch use a soil improver, garden compost or well-rotted manure. For more information on mulching your roses watch our helpful video here.

Spraying

To keep roses healthy, we recommend spraying with Fungus Clear Ultra, up to five times a year between April and September, at regular intervals. Ideally spray in the morning or evening on a dry, still and overcast day and always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

QUICK GUIDE TO WATERING

SPRING

You are unlikey to need to water in spring. In a prolonged dry spell, however, you should remember to water recently planted roses and roses in pots and containers.

SUMMER

Water every other week throughout the summer months. Recently planted roses will need watering twice a week to help them establish. Roses in pots and containers will beed watering every other day.

Water twice as often in really hot weather.

 

GIVE EACH ROSE ONE LARGE WATERING CAN OF WATER PER WATERING SESSION