Each order comes with our Rose Care Guide, which provides instructions upon arrival, including how to plant. Here, we want to provide more tips.

How to Plant My Roses: Tips to Success

First off, you've just received your rose. Remove your rose from all packaging, water it, and plant it within 2 weeks of arrival.

You do not need to acclimate our roses to the shade, as they are already accustomed to full sun in our fields (and Texas sun, at that).

Don't be alarmed if your roses are defoliated, or even have some blackspot from humid conditions in transit. Simply remove the affected leaves, and your rose should flush out with healthy new growth within the next few weeks!

Step-By-Step:

1. Select a location with at least 6 hours of sun. More on location*.

• • If roses are not planted in full sun, expect less prolific blooming, smaller blooms, and potential for more frequent diseases such as blackspot.
  • If you live in an area that gets extremely intense sun during the summer, consider avoiding spots where the rose would get direct Western sun.
  • A rose facing North will get the least amount of sun. A rose facing South will be the most ideal sunlight. Eastern sun is fine, as long as the rose is not shaded in the morning by fences, buildings, trees, or other structures.

2. Dig a hole 12-18 inches deep and wide.

• • If you're able to dig a hole with four sides rather than rounded, this is best for root development, especially if you have clay soil.

3. Remove the rose from its plastic container and plant at the existing soil line.

4. Optional: add soil amendment or fertilizer of choice according to package instructions.

• • Compost is one of the best amendments you can plant with your rose. You can apply some at the bottom of the dug hole, or apply on top of the soil after the rose has been planted, or both!
  • We highly recommend sticking to organic fertilizers for long-term health. We find it's much safer to apply organic fertilizer rather than synthetics to newly planted roses.
  • Feeding your roses is not necessary when you plant them. However, roses are heavy feeders, so we recommend evaluating Which Fertilizer Works Best for Your Garden as your rose establishes itself. 

5. Water deeply every 2-3 days for two weeks to establish strong roots.

• • Avoid wetting the leaves of the plant, as this can lead to diseases such as blackspot.

*More on location: Choose a spot with airflow. Tucking roses in a corner of your house or behind a thicket of other plants may not give them breathing room. Additionally, avoid disadvantageous microclimates, such as:

• Surrounded by gravel/rocks.
• Just beside a concrete sidewalk or driveway (especially if you live in a hot climate).
• Behind a dryer vent.
• Directly where your car exhaust is targeted.
• Where neighborhood cats or dogs like to do their business.
• Somewhere where deer have easy access.
• NEVER PLANT ROSES INDOORS.

Containers:

• Follow the above instructions.
• Select a large container with proper drainage holes. See here on pot selection: size & material.
  • Don't put climbing roses or roses that get to 6' or more in a container, as this could void your guarantee, and it's not good for the rose's long-term health and overall lifespan.
• Please note: Container roses need more frequent fertilizing, watering, and closer attention to weather protection than roses planted in-ground.

Conclusion

We hope that with this guide, you will feel more comfortable about planting your roses.

If you have any other questions regarding more details on rose information, please see our other blogs or reach out to us at gardenquestions@weareroses.com.