Planting Bare Root Climbing and Rambler Roses in the Ground: Step-by-Step
Bare root climbing and rambling roses bring both structure and romance to the garden, offering a traditional and sustainable way to cover walls, fences, and arches with abundant blooms. Planted between autumn and early spring, these roses establish naturally through the cooler months, ready to send out vigorous new shoots when warmth returns. With a little preparation and care, they will reward you for many years with graceful growth and exquisite fragrance.
The ideal moment is during dormancy, from late autumn to early spring. Planting at this time allows the roots to establish steadily and safely while the rose rests through winter, giving it a strong foundation for vigorous growth when spring arrives.
Your Chosen Rose
Spade
Fork
Gardening Gloves
Watering Can
Soil Improver or Well Rotted Manure
Large Bucket of Water
Roses thrive in sunlight, so choose a location with at least four hours of direct sun each day. In hotter regions, a little afternoon shade can help protect young plants. Give your rose enough space so its roots are not crowded by neighbouring plants, trees, or hedges.
Before planting, soak the roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours to rehydrate them. If planting is delayed, keep the roses in their packaging in a cool, dry place, protected from frost, for up to three weeks.
Planting in the Ground
Step 1Prepare the soil: Dig over the area thoroughly with a garden fork, removing weeds and stones so the roots can grow freely. Roses are adaptable and will thrive in most soils. If you have concerns, speak with a rose expert for tailored advice.
Step 2Dig the hole: Using a spade, make a hole roughly 45 x 45 cm (17.5 in wide and deep) - large enough to accommodate the roots when spread out. Break up the soil at the base and mix in a spadeful of well-rotted manure or organic soil improver. Add two spadefuls of soil improver to the soil you removed.
Step 3Position the rose: Place the rose in the centre of the hole with its stems leaning towards the wall or support, and the roots spreading away from it at a 45-degree angle. Ensure the base of the stems sits about 5 cm (2 in) below the top of the hole.
Step 4Backfill and firm: Fill the hole with the prepared soil mixture, pressing it down gently with your foot to remove air pockets and provide stability.
Step 5Water well: Give the rose a generous watering to help settle the soil around the roots.
Aftercare
Once planted, the rose can rest undisturbed through the winter months, quietly building its strength below ground. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged if the weather is dry. In spring, begin to tie the new shoots to their support, training them to grow horizontally for the best display of blooms. With patience and care, your climbing rose will soon transform its chosen structure into a living tapestry of colour and scent.
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Planting Bare Root Shrub Roses in a Pot: Step-by-StepBare root shrub roses are a perfect choice for growing in containers, offering beautiful, bushy growth and abundant, fragrant blooms throughout the summer and into autumn. Planting them in a pot allows gardeners without a garden bed to enjoy the elegance of English Roses, while giving the plant the freedom to establish strong roots in a controlled environment. By following a few careful steps, your rose will settle naturally and flourish for years to come.
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Planting Bare Root Roses: Step-by-Step for Garden and PotsBare root roses arrive simply, as stems and roots, quietly waiting for the garden to bring them to life. With care, they can transform into lush, flowering plants, filling a garden with colour, fragrance, and presence. Affordable, easy to handle, and a traditional favourite among gardeners, they offer both charm and reward.
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Planting Bare Root Shrub Roses in the Ground: Step-by-StepBare root shrub roses are a gardener’s delight, offering a traditional, sustainable, and rewarding way to add colour and fragrance to your garden. Delivered simply as stems and roots, they are designed to work in harmony with the seasons. Planted in autumn through to spring, they settle naturally into the soil over the colder months, ready to burst into life and reward you with blooms the following year. Easy to handle, they are a dependable choice for both new and experienced gardeners.
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Autumn Care for English RosesAs the last blooms of summer fade and the rose garden shifts into autumn, English Roses begin their preparation for winter. The days grow shorter, the air cooler, and the garden takes on a warm, golden light. This is the ideal moment to support your roses, helping them stay healthy, nourished, and ready for the coming season.
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Wind-Swept Charm: English Roses for Exposed LocationsGardens high on hills, offer breathtaking views, but the combination of wind, cold winters, and shorter growing seasons can make growing roses a challenge. With careful selection and planting, even these exposed gardens can thrive with elegant, fragrant blooms.
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Once-Flowering Roses: A Guide to PruningOnce-flowering roses carry an air of tradition, a reminder of old gardens where their brief but magnificent display was the highlight of summer. They bloom on wood made the year before, so pruning them is a matter of patience and respect for their natural rhythm.
