When your rose arrives:
1. Submerge the roots in lukewarm water for 12-24 hours. If you can’t plant soon after arrival, leave the plants in the shade and lightly sprinkle water on the roots every 2-3 days. Never let the roots dry out.
2. If you can’t plant in the final location immediately, temporarily plant into containers and keep moist.
Spacing Traditional roses are spaced 75-90cm apart. Climates have an affect on rose planting, e.g. in warmer climates allow more space.
- Soil
- Loamy soils are ideal. Roses will grow in heavy top soils (if well drained) and sandy soils (if kept watered and fed more frequently). For roses to thrive, good drainage is critical.
Planting your roses Choose a site that has a minimum of 4-6 hours of sun per day and a well drained soil.
1. Dig a hole large enough to easily fit the roots of the plant and deep enough so that the base of the plant will be just above the soil level.
2. Mix some rose food/dynamic lifter into the soil prior to back filling the hole (follow the packet’s recommended dose).
3. Hold the plant in place and back fill the hole. Tread the soil reasonably firmly and leave a basin at the base of the plant to help with watering.
4. Soak the soil with at least one or two buckets of water. You can add some seaweed tonic to help the rose settle in.
Mulching
Roses love mulch. A 5-7 cm layer of mulch stops weeds, evaporation of water and helps keep the roots cool.
Pruning Why we prune roses: The main aim of pruning is to remove the old wood (that will no longer flower well) and encourage the development of young, vigorous and healthy stems. Best done June to July whilst the plants are dormant.
