Selecting A Rose Bush

Always choose the best specimen available.  Your rose should have at least 3 canes coming from the bud union and these canes should be at least 3/8" in diameter.  Bagged roses should be vibrant and fresh with the buds swelling on the canes.  Any white growth from the canes should be removed prior to planting.  Beware of canes that appear shriveled.  Boxed and potted roses should be disease free and well watered.

Planting Your Roses

Select a location away from tree roots, where the sun light hits directly for at least 6 hours a day, (4 hours is the bare minimum).  The site should be well drained with raised beds being preferred.

1. Dig a hole 12" to 15" deep and 15" to 18" across.  Check drainage by filling with water and timing the drain time. If it takes longer than 1-2 hours, dig elsewhere with better drainage.
2. Mix a 5-gallon bucket full of organic matter with the soil taken from the hole.  Add to this, and mix, ½ cup of bone-meal.   For organic matter use compost, if available, or moist peat moss.
3. If your rose is bare root, soak the rose in water for 2-4 hours. Overnight soaking is OK.  If your rose is boxed or potted,  carefully cut the container away and remove the plant and root ball.  The existing root ball should be kept intact as much as possible.  If there are any roots encircling the pot, gently loosen these.  This will encourage rooting in the new hole.
4. Plant your rose bush with the bud union even with, or slightly below, ground level.  It will sink in time.  Fill the hole half full of the amended soil mix and water well (3 to 5 gallons of water).  This will settle the soil and remove air pockets. Do not step in the hole! This will compact the soil and break the rose roots.  After the water drains, add the rest of the soil mix to the hole and mound it up over the canes of the rose. 
5. When  new growth is seen, wash the soil mound away, gently, exposing the rose canes. This will take from 2 to 4 weeks.  Be patient.

How Far Apart Should I Plant My Roses?

• Hybrid Teas - 18" to 24"  apart 
• Grandifloras - 18" to 30" apart 
• Floribundas - 15"  to 24" apart
• Miniatures - 12" to 18" apart
• Shrub Roses - 36" to 48" apart
• English Roses - 36" to 48" apart
• Climbers - 48"  to 60" and 12" to 15" away from their support