Bare-root rose plants are grown in the soil before being dug up when they’re dormant (Image: Getty)
March marks the arrival of the spring season when the days become longer and warmer, providing much more favourable conditions to get gardens in order. Key this month centre around pruning, planting and tidying for , with rose plants in particular requiring attention.
Not only do need pruning at this time of the year to encourage them to bloom, but now is also a good time to start planting. recommend planting bare-root rose plants before the growing season starts in spring, so this is a task to do early this month. The first day of spring falls on the spring equinox, which this year falls on Thursday, March 20, giving you a few weeks yet to get your roses planted.
Bare-root rose plants are grown in the soil before being dug up when they are dormant in early autumn. The plants are then packed without any soil around the root and sold in bundles, giving gardeners a cheaper option than buying pot-grown rose plants.
Bare-root plants typically establish better than pot-grown ones and can be planted throughout the winter, providing the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
But it’s important for gardeners to prepare the plants before transporting them to the garden by carrying out an overnight task to help the roses to ‘wake up’ from their dormancy.
Gardening experts recommend soaking the roots of the plant in a bucket of water for at least two hours before planting, but you should leave them overnight if possible. This helps the roots to rehydrate after being transported and ensures they have enough moisture to start growing properly once they are transferred to the soil, helping them to burst with vibrancy once they bloom.
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David Austin Roses explains: “Your bare root rose will arrive carefully packaged, along with an easy-to-follow planting guide. To give your rose the best possible start, there are a few simple steps to follow.
“Store the rose in a cool place: Once your rose arrives, keep it in a cool, dry location for up to two weeks. Avoid storing it somewhere warm or dry, as this can cause the plant to dry out.
“Rehydrate the roots: When you’re ready to plant, soak the roots in water for at least two hours, overnight if possible. This helps the plant recover from transportation and ensures it has plenty of moisture to grow.
“Prepare for planting: If you’ve received multiple roses, gently cut the twine holding them together, so they’re separated and ready to be planted individually.”