Bare root roses are a popular choice for gardeners looking to add beautiful roses to their landscape As the name suggests, bare root roses are roses that are sold without any soil or planting medium around the roots This allows the roses to be packaged and shipped easily while dormant. But what exactly are bare root roses, and how are they different from other types of roses? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about bare root roses!
What Are Bare Root Plants?
Bare root plants are plants that are dug up from fields or containers with the soil removed from the roots before sale and transport. This allows plants to be shipped and stored without the extra weight and space taken up by soil. Besides roses, many trees, shrubs, fruits and ornamental plants are sold bare root especially during the dormant season.
Bare root plants go dormant in winter, allowing them to be harvested and shipped without foliage, flowers or soil. This dormant state is essential for the survival of bare root plants. Only hardy varieties that can withstand the transplanting process are sold this way.
Benefits of Buying Bare Root Roses
There are several advantages to buying bare root roses
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Lower cost – Bare root plants are light and less bulky without soil, reducing shipping costs. This makes bare root roses a lot more affordable than potted roses.
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Wider selection – Since bare root plants are lighter in weight, more varieties can be shipped at once. This allows for a greater selection of roses to choose from.
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Easier to transport – Without heavy pots and soil, bare root rose packages are a lot easier to handle and transport home.
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Reduced transplant shock – Planting a bare root rose directly into the ground reduces transplant shock that can happen when upgrading a potted rose into the garden.
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Establishes faster – With the roots exposed, bare root roses develop faster and establish quicker when planted properly.
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Larger plants – Bare root roses are field grown so you get more mature plants compared to younger container roses.
When Are Bare Root Roses Available?
Bare root roses are harvested and sold during their dormant season which varies by climate:
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Temperate regions – Bare root roses are sold starting late fall through early spring when the plants are fully dormant. Most bare root rose sales occur January to March.
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Warm climates – Bare root rose season happens November through January when the plants go dormant in warmer zones.
Bare root rose harvest happens after the plants drop their leaves and go into full dormancy. Finding bare root roses outside of dormancy is rare making winter the prime buying season.
How Are Bare Root Roses Packaged?
To protect the bare roots during storage and shipping, bare root roses are carefully packaged:
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Roots are washed free of soil and wrapped in damp shredded paper or sawdust.
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Plants are bundled together based on variety with roots covered.
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The root bundles are packed in boxes, crates or bags with moist protective packaging.
Proper packaging keeps the bare roots hydrated and protected until planting. It’s important to plant bare root roses soon after receiving them while the roots remain fresh. Leaving bare roots exposed too long can damage the plants.
How To Plant Bare Root Roses
Planting bare root roses properly ensures they establish successfully:
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Prepare the planting holes in advance based on the rose type. Amend backfill soil with compost.
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Soak bare root rose roots in water for a few hours before planting. Don’t let roots dry out.
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Prune any broken or damaged roots. Prune canes down to 6-12 inches.
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Place roots spread out in the planting hole. Roots should sit near the soil surface.
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Backfill soil into the hole, firming the soil around the plant. Water deeply after planting.
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Hold off fertilizing until new growth emerges. Keep new plants well watered.
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Add mulch around newly planted roses to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
With proper planting and care, newly planted bare root roses will settle in and start growing quickly. Be sure to water regularly while roots establish.
Are Bare Root or Potted Roses Better?
Both bare root and potted roses have advantages and disadvantages:
Bare root roses:
- Less expensive
- Larger selection
- Establish quickly when planted properly
- Experience some transplant shock
- Limited buying season while dormant
Potted roses:
- Available year-round
- Established root system
- Less transplant shock
- Heavier and more expensive
- Often smaller or younger plants
There is no definitively better option. Choose based on timing, rose types needed, costs, and personal preference. Many rose lovers grow both bare root and potted roses.
Common Questions About Bare Root Roses
There are a few key questions gardeners have when buying bare root roses:
When do bare root roses bloom?
Bare root roses may bloom the first year after planting but flowering is usually better the second season once established. Plant bare root roses as early as possible for best results.
How long do bare root roses last?
When properly cared for, bare root roses can thrive for decades, some surviving 30 years or longer! Take time to prepare the soil, plant correctly, and provide good care.
Should bare root roses be soaked before planting?
Yes, soaking bare root rose roots for 2-6 hours before planting rehydrates the roots and greatly improves plant survival and vigor. Keep roots moist until planting.
Can you plant bare root roses in summer?
Bare root roses must be planted during dormancy when roots are inactive. Planting bare root roses in summer when growth is active will likely lead to failure.
The Takeaway on Bare Root Roses
For rose gardeners, bare root roses provide a budget-friendly way to add beautiful new varieties to the landscape. Take advantage of the winter bare root season to get great deals on roses. With proper care taken to plant and establish them correctly, bare root roses will thrive and bloom for years of enjoyment in the garden.
How to Decide Which Form of Rose to Plant: Bare Root or Container?
As you look through your favorite gardening magazine or website for new roses to plant in your garden, have you ever wondered whether bare root roses or roses in nursery pots are better? Or does it even matter? If you’re like most rose gardeners, this question has come up at some point. We want to help you figure out what is best for you and your garden.
Bare root roses are an inexpensive and easy option for early-season planting. In fact, late winter is the best time to plant. Bare root roses meet the highest industry standards. They arrive dormant, which makes them ideal for planting. The roots get to acclimate to native soil, as opposed to the packaged soil. And of course, since they arent in soil when you get them, there’s no mess to contend with.
Roses that come as bare roots may look dead, with brown roots and a stem that has stopped growing, but plants that come this way can focus on strong root growth instead of having to support a lot of leaves during planting, which is very stressful.
Since bare root roses don’t have any leaves to lose in the winter, you can plant them earlier in the growing season. You can usually plant them up to six weeks before the last frost date in your area in the spring. Since they don’t have to provide water to leaves or flowers, they usually establish quickly.
Bare Root Rose Benefits
- Cost-effective: Because they are sold without soil or pots, bare root roses are often cheaper than container roses.
- Wide range: Nurseries usually have a bigger range of rose types in bare root form, so you can pick from more options.
- Bare root roses are easier to move because they don’t come with soil or a pot. They are lighter and smaller. This can help a lot if you’re ordering roses online or transporting them over a long distance.
- Planting earlier: You can usually get bare root roses during the dormant season. This means you can plant them early in the spring, before the growing season starts.
- Better root development: Since they are planted correctly, bare root roses tend to grow roots faster and blend in better with the soil around them.
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Container roses should typically be planted in late spring and fall. You only need a trowel to plant them, and they give you instant gratification because they aren’t dormant. If they don’t have buds when they arrive, they will in just a few weeks. They’re also perfect for transplanting into decorative containers and make an attractive gift.
When you buy container roses, they usually have lots of leaves and maybe even flowers on them. This lets you know right away what they’ll look and smell like. You can see that both bare root and container roses have their good points. Whichever you choose for your garden, we’re sure you’ll become a rose lover for life, if you aren’t already.