If your goal is to plant and care for roses, you should heed some tips from the experts. One of the first details to consider is where to plant the roses, as sunny spots with plenty of room to grow are best for this kind of plant. You should also think about how deep to dig the hole, a decision that often depends on your area's climate since cold weather usually requires more shelter. Additionally, consider the best time for planting roses, keeping in mind that the bare root and container types each thrive in different seasons.
The best place for planting roses is in a spot that gets at least four hours of sun each day, with shelter from excessive wind if possible. Most types of roses do not do well when planted close to other plants, so try to place the roses about 3 feet (0.91 m) away from plants and trees that might get their roots entangled or block out the sun. On the other hand, the climbing types do not seem to mind being placed near noninvasive plants or other roses, and often do best near walls and arches where they can climb and spread out easily. When planting roses, you should also make sure that the soil is not too thick or sandy, and that it drains well.
The hole for roses should be about 18 inches (45.7 cm) wide and about 15 inches (38.1 cm) deep. If the weather in your area tends to be chilly, you should dig a bit deeper than usual to keep the rose roots from freezing. You should then make sure to cover the roots completely with soil, water the plant, and then cover more with about 8 inches (20.3 cm) of soil. If the extra soil is still there once the leaves open, you can remove it.
You should also know that the best time for planting roses differs depending on whether it is the container type or the bare root kind. Container roses, which typically already have some blooms on them when purchased, should be planted in the early part of spring. On the other hand, the less expensive bare root roses thrive when planted in the late winter. Though either type can do well with basic soil, when planting roses you are advised to add bonemeal or organic mulch to help it grow. Mulch typically encompasses bark, pine needles, or wood chips, to name a few popular items that may help roses grow.
