Planting bare-root roses in autumn is the secret to beautiful blooms next year. An easy (and cheaper) alternative to potted roses, bare-root roses tend to establish more quickly in the garden, often resulting in stronger growth.
Bare roots can be planted in pots or straight into the ground if you have the space, just make sure to avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged ground.
"A bare-root rose is basically what it says on the tin: it is a dormant plant," Liam Beddall, Head Rosarian at David Austin Roses, tells Country Living at a gardening workshop at the Plain English showroom.
"Something beautiful can come from something so simple. People are used to seeing potted roses with flowers and foliage, ready to go, but these bare plants are planted in the autumn and winter time, ready for flowering in the spring."
A more traditional way of planting, there are ample advantages to choosing dormant roses.
"The root system gets to establish over the winter without having to support any foliage or flowers," Liam tells us.
"It really settles down to grow a strong root system. They're also cheaper than potted roses, which is always helpful. The variety of roses is also much larger, as not everything comes in a pot. They are easy to handle and very friendly."
Bare-root roses can be planted anytime from autumn, though the main window is November to April to ensure the roots have time to develop. During this period, plants can focus their energy on root development, rather than leaves or flowers.
Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to planting bare-root roses, as shared by Liam:
How to plant your bare rose
1. Rehydrate the bare root rose in a bucket of water for a minimum of two hours prior to planting.
2. Dig over the soil using a garden fork and remove any weeds or large stones. This will ensure that new roots can venture freely in their new environment.
3. Dig a hole big enough for the roots, approximately 45cm wide by 45cm deep.
4. Break up the soil at the base of the hole to allow the roots to go deeper into the ground. Mix a spadeful of soil improver, quality compost or well-rotted manure with soil in the bottom of the hole. This will improve soil structure and help the rose to establish.
5. Sprinkle roughly 30g of David Austin Mycorrhizal Fungi (or similar) directly onto the roots, to stimulate root growth for a healthier, more plentiful rose.
6. Position the rose in the centre of the hole. The bottom of the stems should sit 5cm below the top of the hole.
7. Mix a further two spadefuls of either soil improver, quality compost or well-rotted manure with the soil removed from the hole and backfill around the roots of the rose. Lightly firm the soil around the rose with your foot to ensure the rose is secure and there are no air pockets.
8. Water the rose well. During the first summer, it's recommended to water your new rose twice a week or every other day if the weather is very hot.
17 best gardening tools to buy now including spades, trowels and rakes
Give your garden plants some love this summer with this useful multi-tool. Finished in titanium with brass fixings, this tool features six different functions including secateurs, a root remover, knife, saw, bottle opener and an easy weeding utensil.
Protect your knees when gardening with this practical green kneeler and seat. It has been made with steel tubes and comfortable polypropylene foam so you can garden comfortably. There's also a small pouch on the side, making it easy to pop your tools in as you work.
Protect your hands with these practical grey gardening gloves, made from a comfortable nylon and spandex liner. Best suited for potting and pruning, they have breathable lining and a nitrile grip coating.
Developed alongside Kew Garden's horticultural team, this set features a weedfork, hand trowel and transplanting trowel. Ideal if you're on the hunt for a gift.
Crafted from wood and stainless steel, this lovely garden tool set is just what every gardener needs. The leather hooks make it easy to hang up in a shed, while the trowel has been marked in centimetres and inches to make planting easier than ever.
Walsall 90L Polypropylene Multipurpose Wheelbarrow
Every garden needs a wheelbarrow. In a classic green, this lightweight style from Argos is ideal for gardening, DIY work and equestrian uses.
With a longer handle to ease back strain, this stainless digging spade has been created for all digging jobs. As well as this, the hardened steel blade is rust-resistant and will hold its edge without regular sharpening. Perfect for every avid gardener.
Keep your plants happy and healthy with this terracotta watering can. Designed by Shane Schneck, it boasts a no-spill lip and a shape that keeps water weight at its base.
Tried and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute, this garden fork from Sophie Conran is a stylish addition to any outdoor space. Made of stainless steel with a waxed beechwood handle, it has sharpened tines which cut through hard and soft soil very easily.
When life gives you lemons...buy a stylish kneeler pillow. With a generous size and soft foam filling, you can be sure to tackle those weeds comfortably without any pain.
Looking for some summer seeds? This pack includes thyme, mixed herbs, oregano and summer savoury, too. Ideal to spruce up a tired-looking lawn patch.
READ MORE: Plant these 11 wildflowers to create a bee motorway in your garden
You'll find eight handy tools in this set, including pruning shears, a hand trowel, transplanter, weeder, cultivator, hand rake, gardening gloves and a tote bag. At just £40, it's a real steal buy.
Trim your hedge just as you like with these 66cm topiary shears. Ideal for trimming and shaping, they have narrow pointed blades, rubber shock absorbers and a long length ergonomic design.
READ MORE: How to get rid of moles in the garden
Providing high performance cutting with a clean finish, this grass trimmer from Bosch has an easy edging function which enables quick changes from trimming to edging. Ideal for reaching those tricker spots with ease.
Sweep up leaves and fallen debris with this practical wooden rake from Garden Trading. Crafted from Beech, the strong wooden handle offers support, while the prongs allow for effective raking.
Presented in a beautiful box, this set includes a trowel and secateurs. Featuring artwork from the RHS Lindley Library, they're both a stylish and practical addition to any garden.
This electric lawnmower helps you to cut through long grass with ease, thanks to its innovative inset grass combs and lightweight design.
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Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
