To plant bare roses, you need to know what they are, what to expect when they arrive from the grower, and when and how to plant them. Bare-root roses are one of the most economical ways to create a rose garden!.
You’ll have seen that rose bushes come in two different types: plants that are already potted and plants that are just the roots. It is easy to plant rose plants that come in pots with soil around their roots. You can do this at any time of the year. Bare root plants are different and will arrive in plastic bags without any soil at all. You can only get this type of rose delivered in the fall and winter, when the plant is dormant. This is also the best time to plant bare-root roses.
Two years ago, we moved into a new house with a small lawn area to the rear. It had a greenhouse and a few fruit trees, but the plan was to turn it into a full-on English cottage garden-style vegetable garden with raised beds and bright flower beds. My first addition was a pretty garden arch, and on either side, I planted bare-root roses. After two years, the plants have grown to the top of the arbor and are now filled with the most beautiful and fragrant David Austin roses. These words describe how I planted my roses, and the video at the end goes into even more detail.
Roses are prized for their beauty and fragrance making them a cherished addition to many gardens. While potted roses can be planted any time of year winter is actually the best season for planting bare root rose bushes. Winter-planted bare root roses get a head start on root growth before spring. This helps them establish quickly when growing season arrives. With proper care, roses planted in winter can thrive and give you gorgeous blooms for years to come.
Why Winter is Ideal for Planting Roses
There are a few key reasons why winter is the prime planting time for bare root roses:
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Dormancy – Roses enter a dormant period in winter, allowing them to focus energy on root growth rather than foliage or flowers. This makes transplanting less stressful.
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Soil moisture – Cool, moist winter soils provide ideal conditions for new root development. This prevents transplant shock.
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Earlier growth – Winter-planted roses get a jumpstart on spring growth compared to later plantings.
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Bare roots – Bare root plantings avoid the soil ball breaking apart issues of potted roses. Direct root-to-soil contact aids quicker establishment.
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Cost – Bare root roses are far more economical than potted varieties.
As long as your winter ground isn’t frozen, planting a bare root rose during its dormancy is perfectly fine and recommended for best results.
When to Plant Bare Root Roses
Bare root roses should be planted during their dormant period for optimal success. This window is generally:
- Fall: Late October to December in mild winter climates
- Winter: January through March in areas with cold winters
- Spring: As late as April in the coldest zones once ground thaws
Roses need 6-8 weeks of cool conditions after planting to establish before warm weather arrives and growth resumes. Time your planting accordingly based on your climate.
Potted roses can technically be planted anytime, but bare roots require precise winter timing.
How to Plant Dormant Bare Root Roses
Follow these steps for proper winter planting of bare root roses:
1. Prepare the planting area
- Choose a site with full sun (at least 6 hours direct sun daily)
- Amend heavy clay soils with compost to improve drainage
- Space plants 3-5 feet apart depending on mature size
2. Soak bare roots
- Submerge bare root bush in a bucket of water for 30 minutes before planting
- Keep roots moist if unable to plant right away
3. Dig wide planting hole
- Dig hole 12-18 inches deep and wide
- Loosen soil at bottom with a fork
- Mix some compost into soil from hole
4. Position and backfill
- Spread roots over cone of soil in hole
- Backfill halfway and gently firm down soil
- Complete backfilling rest of hole
5. Finish planting
- Water deeply until no air pockets remain
- Apply 2-3 inch mulch layer around base
- Prune any damaged canes or branches
6. Provide winter care
- Water during dry periods if no rain
- Check for heaving and reset any lifted plants
- Mulch for insulation if extreme cold
Proper planting coupled with attentive follow-up care will give your bare root roses the best start come springtime. Be sure to continue watering and care as needed through the growing season.
The Best Types of Roses to Plant in Winter
Almost all types of roses can be purchased bare root and are suitable for winter planting, including:
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Hybrid teas – Large, classic blooms on long stems perfect for cutting.
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Floribundas – Profuse small clustered blooms ideal for borders and beds.
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Shrub and hedge roses – Tough, carefree roses that bloom repeatedly on bushy plants.
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Climbers – Vigorous growing roses best trained on structures like arbors or fences.
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Old garden roses – Vintage heirloom varieties known for rich fragrance and charm.
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Landscape roses – Low-maintenance, disease-resistant roses bred for gardens.
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Miniature roses – Dainty compact roses under 2 feet tall perfect for containers.
Choose winter-hardy, disease-resistant varieties best suited to your climate and space for easiest care. Check tags or with local nurseries for recommended types.
Caring for Newly Planted Roses in Winter
Roses require some specialized care after planting in winter:
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Water 1-2 times per week during dry spells for the first 2 months.
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Check for heaving from freeze/thaw cycles and replant any lifted roses.
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Add mulch like leaves or straw to insulate plants if hard freezes occur.
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Prune only damaged canes – leave healthy growth until spring.
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Fertilize with balanced organic fertilizer once spring growth resumes.
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Monitor for pests like aphids that can attack young shoots and treat as needed.
Attentive post-planting care ensures your roses survive the winter and put out vigorous new growth when conditions warm.
Should You Plant Potted or Bare Root Roses?
Potted and bare root roses both have their merits:
Potted roses
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Can be planted anytime of year
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Establish quicker with minimal transplant shock
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More expensive
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Prone to root-ball issues
Bare root roses
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Require winter planting when dormant
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Slower to establish initially
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Very economical
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Direct root-to-soil contact
If planting in winter, bare root is the clear choice. But either option can work well with proper timing and care.
Enjoy Years of Beautiful Blooms
When planned properly, roses planted in winter thrive and reward you with countless glorious flowers. Be sure to select a variety suited to your climate and space needs. Follow sound planting techniques and provide attentive winter care. With a bit of patience and TLC, your bare root roses will flourish for many seasons to come. The end result? A glorious rose garden you’ll treasure for years on end.
How to Plant Bare Root Roses
When bare-root roses get to you, you’ll need to heel them in or plant them right away in their final spots. The process isn’t difficult, and the instructions below will ensure success, healthy plants, and bountiful blooms!.
- Garden spade
- Garden fork
- Watering can
- Bucket of water
- Composted manure or garden compost
- Mycorrhizal Fungi
Plant Bare Root Roses in Winter
If you have mild winters, you can plant bare-root roses all winter long. The roots are safe from the worst of the cold once they’re in the ground, and they’ll slowly start to grow little tendrils of roots. This will help them spring into life when warmer days arrive. Because you should wait to plant outside in colder places, growers will send your plants later. Aim to plant them when plants are still dormant, but the ground isn’t frozen. Late winter to early spring is better for those who have truly cold winters. Some nurseries buy roses without roots, plant them in pots in the fall, and then sell them in the spring as potted plants. credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking on Flickr.
Growing Roses Inside During The Winter
Can you plant roses in the winter?
In Zones 8 and above, you can plant roses in the winter provided that the soil is not frozen and there’s no frost threat. Roses go dormant in the winter, which minimizes the shock of planting and transplanting, so there is a benefit to planting this time of year.
Do Roses need winter prep?
How much winter prep you need to do depends on your zone and your rose varieties. In zones 1-6, roses will need extra protection from harsh winter winds and bitter cold. In zones 7-13, your roses might not go truly dormant and need very little extra care beyond a layer of mulch at the base. Not sure of your zone?
Can Roses survive winter?
Roses can survive even the harshest winters. Providing excellent winter care for your roses is as simple as knowing your zone, your varieties, and providing a bit of cleanup and insulation against the cold. Give your roses a little TLC in the winter months, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning healthy plants in the spring!
How do you care for roses in the winter?
Make sure the temperature doesn’t drop below -10℉ in the winter; otherwise the roses will die. Keep the crown 1inch above the ground, and don’t fertilize the roses. Cover the soil with a thick layer of mulch to keep the roots from freezing. Early spring is the ideal time to start roses in Zone 7.
