Container Roses: How To Plant A Container Rose
You’ve just bought a rose in a plastic pot.
What do you do now?
Well, you’ve got two choices. Either transplant the rose into your garden or into a new container. Here are the five steps to take, no matter which approach you choose …
Step One: If you want to place your rose in a new pot, find one with drainage holes. In terms of height, get a pot that is at least the same depth as the current container, preferably deeper. A container about 18 inches wide is perfect.
Similarly, you can dig a hole with the same dimensions, about 18 inches wide and as deep or deeper than the container.
Step Two: Remove the rose from its container and loosen the soil around the root ball so you can see the roots. Spread the roots out and remember, the roots will grow longer as the rose grows. Make sure your container has enough space so the roots don’t bundle into a ball.
Step Three: Place the rose in the center of the hole (or pot). Fill in with standard potting soil. You don’t need to buy any fancy or special soil. Normal potting soil from your local garden center is sufficient.
Step Four: Now it’s time to get your hands a little dirty. Work the soil mixture around the roots thoroughly. This will eliminate air pockets and help the plant to adapt.
Step Five: Water the rose thoroughly. This is also a good time to add some material, like mulch, as a top layer to help the soil retain moisture.
And that’s it!
How To Plant Roses: Checking For Drainage
One lesser known aspect of planting roses is making sure the area you’re planting them in has adequate drainage.
What does this mean?
Well, as much as roses enjoy being watered, they don’t like to sit in a pool of water that can’t drain off.
So when you choose your planting location, you’ll have to be sure that any excess water (rain) will drain off in a reasonable period of time.
Here’s the best way to check …
First, decide on a tentative location to plant your roses. Then, go ahead and dig the hole intended for your rose plant. But don’t plant it just yet.
Fill the hole with water. It should drain on its own within a few hours. If it doesn’t, you may need to improve the drainage. If the water does drain, that’s perfect! This means the roots won’t rot when watered and have a better chance of not freezing in winter.
Planting Roses: Choosing The Best Location For Roses
So you’re ready to plant roses and now comes the key decision … Where is the best location for roses?
There are a few tips you should know, but the two most important factors are sun and water. If your roses receive plenty of sun and are properly watered, they’ll have a great chance to flourish.
When choosing where to plant roses, here are the factors to consider:
Direct Sun
You’ll need to choose a location where your roses will receive about 6 hours of sunlight per day. If you live in a cool climate, afternoon sun is a better choice. Conversely, if you live in a hot, humid climate, morning sun is preferable.
Spacing
Make sure to plant your roses far enough apart so there is enough air movement to dry out morning dew and rain. If rain and dew aren’t able to dry, disease can result.
In general, you should plant your roses about three feet apart so they have breathing room. Also, try to give them some protection from the wind. Usually, planting your roses along a wall, fence, or side of your home is best.
Trees And Shrubs
Do not plant your roses near large trees or shrubs, because they will compete for water and nutrients. Also, if a tree or hedge grows too large, they may block out the sunlight your roses need to thrive.
