How to plant a bare root standard tree rose

How to plant a bare root standard rose

By following these simple steps, you will ensure your bare root standard rose gets off to the best possible start.

When to plant

Bare root roses are best planted between January and May, during bare root season. This gives them time to establish ready to bloom come summer. The only time we recommend that you don't plant is when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions.

You will need

Spade

Fork

Large bucket of water

Watering can

Organic soil improver or well-rotted manure

Wooden stake (supplied)

Tree Tie (supplied)

Clout nail

Hammer or mallet

Where to plant

Make sure the rose has some sun, ideally at least 4 hours of sunlight a day.
Generally, the more sun the better. However in the hottest areas, shade from the afternoon sun can be beneficial.
Ensure the rose has enough space, so that the roots do not suffer from intense competition from neighbouring plants, including treesand hedges.

Step by step guide

Step 1
Rehydrate your rose

Rehydrate your rose in a bucket of water for a minimum of 2 hours prior to planting.
Step 2
Prepare the soil

Dig over the soil thoroughly, using the garden fork and remove any weeds or large stones. This will ensure that the new roots can venture freely into their new environment. Roses will grow in all soil types.
Step 3
Dig the hole

Dig a hole big enough for the rose's roots, approximately 60cm wide by 40cm deep.
STEP 4
Break the soil at the base of your hole

Break up the soil at the base of the hole with a fork, and mix a spadeful of well-rotted manure or Carr's Organic Soil Improver in with the soil at the bottom of the hole. Also, mix two spadefuls of soil improver with the soil removed from the hole.
step 5
Remove the tie from the stake and rose

Just before planting, remove the tree tie that is holding the rose and the wooden stake together.
STEP 6
Position the rose in the hole

Position the rose in the centre of the hole. The bottom of the stems should be 2" (5cm) below the top of the hole - use a bamboo cane to help measure.
STEP 7
Hammer the stake into the hole

To support your standard tree rose use your mallet or hammer to drive the wooden stake into the ground by 20cm, leaving the stake about 1m from ground level. Check that your stake is at the right height - the top of the stake should be at the same height as the top of the standard tree stem, where it splits into branches.
STEP 8
Apply David Austin's Mycorrhizal fungi

Sprinkle David Austin's Mycorrhizal fungi on the roots of the standard rose.
STEP 9
Backfill the soil

Place the rose into the hole and backfill the soil, firming as you go.
STEP 10
Replace the tree tie

To secure the rose in the hole, replace the tree tie and ensure it is tight to the stake and rose stem.
STEP 11
Firm in and water well

Give your standard tree rose one last firm in around the base and water well.

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