Every gardener has times when they look at a plant and think, “You belong somewhere else!” or when they see an empty spot in the garden and think, “This rose would look great there!” Well, it’s a good thing roses can be moved!
When you decide on a place to move your rose, remember that roses like “brand new homes”. They don’t like to live somewhere that another plant has already been planted. But you can still be successful if you follow a few simple rules when moving your rose.
To begin, choose whether you want to move your rose while it is dormant (early spring) or during the growing season, when it is not dormant. The best time to move plants is always early spring, when they are dormant. This way, the plants will be less stressed and shocked.
Rose bushes are beautiful additions to any garden but sometimes you need to transplant an established bush to a new location. Learning how to properly dig out and move a mature rose bush ensures its healthy transition to a new spot. Follow this step-by-step guide for tips on safely removing your rose bush for transplanting.
When to Dig Out Rose Bushes
For best results it’s ideal to dig up and transplant rose bushes while they are dormant in late fall or winter. However you can still successfully move roses during the active growing season if needed. Here are the pros and cons of moving roses in different seasons
Fall or Winter
-
Pros: Roses are dormant so transplant shock is reduced. Cooler weather reduces stress.
-
Cons: Identifying bush location/type can be tricky when leaves have dropped. Ground may be frozen.
Spring:
-
Pros: Soil is workable. Bush is actively growing.
-
Cons: Loss of current season’s flowers/buds. Risk of transplant shock.
Summer:
-
Pros: Weather is ideal for quick recovery. You can see bushes in full form.
-
Cons: Hot temperatures increase stress. Greater transplant shock.
Preparing to Dig Out the Rose Bush
Before digging up your rose bush, follow these tips to prep it for the move:
-
Prune back the bush by 1/3 to reduce foliage and plant size for easier transport.
-
Water the rose bush deeply 1-2 weeks prior to digging it up. Well-hydrated plants experience less shock.
-
Loosen soil around roots before digging by driving a spade down into soil around the bush.
-
Have materials like tarp, burlap or cloth ready to wrap the root ball for transport.
How to Dig Out the Rose Bush
Follow these steps for safely and successfully digging up your rose bush:
1. Dig a Trench Around the Root Zone
-
Use a shovel, garden fork or spade to dig a trench around the bush.
-
The trench should be about 12-18 inches out from the stem.
-
Dig down at least 12 inches around the perimeter.
2. Start Lifting the Root Ball
-
Once the trench is dug, start rocking your shovel back and forth to loosen the root ball and sever smaller roots.
-
Do this on all sides, working your way around the plant.
-
As it loosens, gently lift up on the main stem to raise the root ball.
3. Support the Root Ball
-
When you feel the bush beginning to lift out, slide a tarp or burlap under the raised root ball.
-
You may need to cut thicker lateral roots with pruners or a saw to fully lift out the plant.
-
The goal is to keep as much of the root system intact as possible.
4. Transport the Rose Bush
-
Lift the root ball onto the tarp, burlap or fabric you have ready.
-
Wrap the material around the roots and tie it together for transport.
-
Carry it gently to avoid breaking the soil ball away from roots.
Transplanting the Rose Bush
Now that you’ve safely dug out the rose bush, follow these tips to transplant it:
-
Dig a new planting hole at least 2x as wide as the root ball.
-
Mix compost or well-rotted manure into the backfill soil to enrich it.
-
Place the bush into the hole, keeping the soil ball intact. Ensure it sits at its original soil depth.
-
Backfill soil, tamping it down gently but firmly to avoid air pockets around roots.
-
Water deeply and add mulch around the plant to help retain moisture.
-
Stake or trellis tall bushes to provide support until the roots establish.
-
Prune back canes by 1/3 after planting to reduce demand on roots.
Caring for Newly Transplanted Roses
To reduce transplant stress and help your rose bush recover, be sure to:
-
Water frequently (but avoiding soggy soil) for the first few weeks after transplanting.
-
Mist rose leaves daily if possible to provide additional moisture.
-
Apply a balanced organic fertilizer a few weeks after transplant once growth resumes.
-
Monitor for pests like aphids that may attack stressed plants. Use organic sprays if needed.
-
Avoid pruning the bush again until roots reestablish, aside from removing dead wood.
Tips for Successfully Digging and Moving Roses
Here are some additional pointers to ensure success when digging out rose bushes for transplanting:
-
Move potted rose bushes any time, reducing stress and preserving root balls.
-
Transplant on calm, cloudy days to avoid hot sun or wind drying out plants.
-
Move bare root roses when fully dormant in late winter just before they leaf out.
-
Keep recently transplanted bushes well-watered manually until their root systems recover.
-
Allow 1-2 years for the rose bush to reestablish before expecting abundant blooms.
What to Do With a Failing Rose Bush
If your rose bush is struggling and underperforming, resist the urge to simply dig it out and discard it. Try these troubleshooting tips first:
-
Rule out issues like poor drainage, improper pH or disease/pests. Address any problems found.
-
Prune back old, dead and crossing canes to stimulate new growth.
-
Fertilize and water properly to encourage vigor.
-
Move the bush to a sunnier location if insufficient light exposure.
-
As a last resort, propagate cuttings from healthy canes to start new roses.
Digging Out Old Rose Bushes
When an aging rose bush becomes overgrown or unproductive, follow these tips:
-
Prune it back hard in early spring, removing all dead and crossing branches.
-
Give it a season to respond to the rejuvenation pruning before deciding to remove it.
-
If performance doesn’t improve, propagate cuttings the following summer before digging it out.
-
Replace it with a new healthy rose bush suited to the location.
Digging out and relocating an established rose bush properly takes some work, but is very worthwhile to give your plant renewed vigor. Follow the steps in this guide and you can confidently transplant roses to any desired location in your garden.
If you are able to transplant while the rose is still dormant, be sure to do the following:
- Don’t move your plant until there is no longer a chance of frost.
- For the plant to focus on root growth in its new home, cut the rose canes back to 10 to 12 inches and remove any leaves. Need pruners? Click here for some recommendations.
- Make a new hole and make sure it can drain well. NOTE: If you’re not sure if your soil drains well, dig a hole and fill it with water. If the water is gone after an hour, you can plant there. If not, try somewhere else in the garden.
- To get rid of the rose, dig away from the root ball enough so that you don’t hurt the roots. Carry as many of the roots as you can to the new hole and move them slowly. If it’s too big to carry, put it on a tarp and pull it to its new home.
- Amend the soil. Mix mulch, potting soil, and peat moss in a bucket or wheelbarrow until they are all the same amount. Half of this mix should be put in the hole around the roots.
- When the hole is half full, water the soil well and let the water settle. If the soil has caused the rose to sink a bit, make any necessary changes.
- Add the remaining soil mixture and water again. No matter what the weather is like, water the new rose every day for a week or two.
- Do not feed the rose or use any insecticides until you see new growth.
If you need to transplant your rose during the growing season (non-dormant), you can still be successful but water is key! Be sure to do the following:
- Prep your rose. A liquid fertilizer with vitamin B1 will help the rose get used to its new home.
- Water deeply before transplanting so the rose is fully hydrated. This will make the roots work less hard and reduce transplant shock.
- Reduce plant size. Take off any dried or dead parts of the plant and cut the taller canes down to a height that you can handle before you dig up the rose. Some gardeners like it when the rose canes are the same height as the root ball, which is also fine. NOTE: If you don’t cut the rose back, it will wilt at the tips to show you how much weight it can hold. This means to water more, and anything that doesn’t grow back within a few days of heavy watering should be taken out at that point.
- Make a new hole and make sure it can drain well.
- To get rid of the rose, dig away from the root ball enough so that you don’t hurt the roots. Carry as many of the roots as you can to the new hole and move them slowly. If it’s too big to carry, put it on a tarp and pull it to its new home.
- Amend the soil. Mix mulch, potting soil, and peat moss in a bucket or wheelbarrow until they are all the same amount. Half of this mix should be put in the hole around the roots.
- When the hole is half full, water the soil well and let the water settle. If the soil has caused the rose to sink a bit, make any necessary changes.
- Add the remaining soil mixture and water again. No matter what the weather is like, water the new rose every day for a week or two.
- Do not feed the rose or use any insecticides until you see new growth.
How to Transplant a Rose Bush
FAQ
Is it hard to dig up a rose bush?
How deep are rose bush roots?
Are rose bushes hard to pull out?
How do you dig a rose bush?
When you are ready to dig your rose shrubs, begin by working in a circular motion around the bush. It’s important to start wide, as most root systems will extend approximately 30 inches (76 cm) in diameter across the plant. Though you may be tempted to remove excess soil from the roots, most experts suggest leaving the root ball intact.
How do you remove roots from a rose bush?
Rose bush roots can extend deep into the soil, and it is important to remove as much of them as possible. Once the root ball is out, dig farther down and wider to look for any feeder roots. These can be pulled out with a gloved hand or pruned back further.
Does digging out a Rose Bush Kill a plant?
Digging out rose bushes from the ground along with their roots will kill them permanently. This also prevents any future chances of the plant growing back again. Here is a step-by-step guide to successfully dig out a rose bush, roots and all. One day prior to digging the plant out, cut out the entire coronal part.
Should you dig out a rose bush before planting?
If you do this a few weeks before digging out the rose bush’s root ball, the plant will be at a much higher risk of pest and disease infestation while also being dryer. That’s going to weaken the roots and make the entire bush easier to manage.
