How to Plant a Potted Shrub Rose

Planting a potted shrub rose in the ground is one of the simplest ways to enrich a garden with beauty, fragrance and seasonal interest. Given a suitable position, it will settle naturally into its surroundings and bring pleasure with every passing year.

With a little care at planting time, your shrub rose will establish quickly, developing a strong root system and a graceful, flower-filled habit.

When to Plant a Shrub Rose

Potted roses can be planted at almost any time of year, provided the ground is not frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions. Avoid planting during periods of extreme heat. Watering well during the first few weeks after planting will help the roots establish quickly.

You Will Need

Your potted rose
Spade - Ladies' Groundbreaker Spade,Men's Groundbreaker Spade,Digging Spade,Border Spade,Compost Scoop
Gardening Gloves
Fork
Watering can (we recommend Haws)
Soil Improver or well-rotted Manure ( We recommend John Innes No. 3, high-quality multi-purpose compost or Carr’s Special Organic Soil Improver)
David Austin’s Mycorrhizal Fungi
Wheelbarrow

Where to Plant

Roses thrive in sunlight, so choose a location that receives at least four hours of direct sun each day.
In hotter areas, a little afternoon shade can help protect young plants.
Give your rose enough space so its roots are not crowded by nearby plants, trees or hedges, ensuring healthy, reliable growth.

Planting Your Rose

Step 1

Prepare the area. Dig the soil thoroughly with a garden fork, removing weeds and large stones. This creates a loose, welcoming space where new roots can spread easily and establish well.
Step 2

Dig a generous hole. Prepare a generous hole of approximately 45 x 45cm (18 x 18") or large enough to hold the rose’s root mass. Mix one spadeful of organic soil improver or well-rotted manure into the base of the hole, and two more into the soil you’ve removed.
Step 3

Loosen and enrich the soil. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole, giving roots an easy path downwards so the rose can settle quickly and find moisture.
Step 4

Remove the rose from its pot. Carefully ease the rose from its pot and gently tease out the roots, guiding them outward into the surrounding soil.
Step 5

Add mycorrhizal fungi. Holding the rose above the planting hole, sprinkle 30 g of Mycorrhizal Fungi onto the roots, gently patting it onto the outside of the root ball and surrounding compost.
Step 6

Position the rose correctly. Place the rose in the centre of the hole with the base of the stems sitting just below soil level, around 5 cm (2"). Backfill gently and press lightly to remove any air pockets.
Step 7

Water well and support if needed Water well after planting. If planting between May and September, we recommend watering your new rose twice a week or every other day during warm weather.