How to plant a bare root rose in a pot

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HOW TO PLANT A BARE ROOT ROSE IN A POT OR CONTAINER

Bare root roses are excellent plants for growing in pots. English Roses, with their shrubby, bushy habit are ideal for growing in large pots and containers. Unlike many other potted plants, English Roses will flower in fragrant flushes throughout the summer and into autumn.

How to

Choose your Pot

Use a pot with a minimum internal dimension of 45 x 45cm (roughly 60 litres) to allow for an adequate depth of rich soil. Use gravel, broken crocs or re-use blocks of polystyrene at the bottom of your pot to aid drainage. Ensure the pot you choose has adequate drainage holes.

bare root roses soaking on a steel bucket
bare root roses being held by a gardener - a wheelbarrow and spade can be seen

When to plant bare root roses

Bare root roses can be planted between May - September, depending on region and supplier. The only time we recommend that you don't plant is when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions.

YOU WILL NEED

  • GARDENING GLOVES
  • COMPOST SCOOP
  • BROKEN CROCS OR SMALL BLOCKS OF POLYSTRENE (FOR DRAINAGE)
  • WATERING CAN
  • COMPOST OR A POTTING MIX RECOMMENDED BY YOUR ROSE SUPPLIER
  • LARGE POT

    • How To Plant a Bare Root Rose in a Pot

    A step by step guide

    Step 1: Prepare your pot for planting

    Start by placing broken crocs, gravel or reusing blocks of polystyrene at the bottom of your pot; this will help the rose to drain adequately throughout the season. Next, begin to fill your pot with compost. As you fill your pot it’s important to use your hand to lightly press the compost so that you don’t get any air pockets. Carry on filling your pot until it is approximately halfway full.

    Step 2: Position your rose in the pot

    At this point it is important to check that your rose will fit nicely into the pot and at the right height. Place your bare root rose into your pot on top of the soil. We recommend burying the bud union to protect the roots and give better stability, but local advice may differ,

    Step 3: Fill-in around your rose with compost

    Place your rose into the centre of the pot and continue to fill with your compost mix, firming the soil as you go. 

    Step 4: Water your rose

    Finally, water your newly planted bare root well, allowing moisture to penetrate the soil and roots.

    Gardeners Tip

    Roses in pots will require more frequent watering than roses planted in the ground.

    more rose care advice

    How to deadhead roses

    How to prune roses

    How to plant a bare root rose in a border