The 3-Step-No-Fail-Way to Plant Bareroot Roses

Much of the Northwest is ideal for growing roses, and early spring is when you'll start seeing dormant bareroot roses at your Fred Meyer Garden Center (colder regions will see bareroot stock later in the season).

Bareroot plants are about half the price of the potted roses you’ll find later in the season, and they’re hardier besides. Check out the selection, make your choices and then follow these steps...

Step 1. Plant at the Right Time: Now!

In the Northwest, particularly in growing zones along the I-5 corridor, dormant bareroot plants show up in garden centers in February and should be planted as soon as possible. (For those of you in colder regions, save these tips for a little later.)

You’ll notice bareroot plants look like sticks with roots attached. Because bareroot roses aren’t transplanted (the only dirt they’ll know is your garden’s), water penetrates the roots more uniformly, helping them grow more vigorously.

Step 2. Choose the Right Site

When scouting a location for your roses, choose sites with these characteristics:

• At least 5 hours of sun each day.
• Protection from wind and winter chills.
• Well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter and a slightly acidic soil mix.
• No large shrubs or trees nearby to compete for sun, nutrients, or water.

Step 3. Plant the Right Way

Follow these “rules of green thumb” for proper planting of bareroot roses:

• Be prepared to plant as soon as possible after you buy them.
• Soak the plant’s roots in a bucket of water overnight.
• Cut off any dead or broken roots.
• Dig a planting hole deep enough and wide enough to accommodate roots without bending, approximately 2' wide. Condition the soil you’ve removed by mixing in steer manure, compost, or fine bark dust plus a handful of all-purpose fertilizer.
• Form a hill-like cone of soil in the hole, and spread roots over it.
• Holding the plant in place, backfill the hole, firming the soil around roots. Keep the plant’s bud union (where growth emerges) level with the top of the soil.
• Water with a slow-trickling hose for about 15 minutes (and remember to make sure your roses get plenty of water throughout this first year).
• If settling occurs, gently grasp plant at base and pull up. Add additional soil and water again.
• Wait until you see the results this summer!

Click for a quick primer on what rose grades mean.

While much of the information in these tips is applicable in several gardening zones/climates, some of the plants and timing suggested are best suited to the Northwest, generally in the mild/wet growing regions found along the I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate adjustments or consult local gardening experts in regions whose climates differ from this area of the Northwest.