DIY How-To
How to Plant Roses
Roses reward a little planning. Give them sun, good drainage and a well-prepared hole, and they will bloom for years.
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Quick checklist
- Pick a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun and soil that drains well after rain.
- Plant in spring after the last hard frost, or in early fall at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes.
- Dig a hole about twice as wide as the pot and deep enough for the roots to sit comfortably.
- Loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole and mix in compost.
- Set the rose so the graft (the knobby joint above the roots) sits at or a little below soil level; in Michigan winters, slightly lower helps.
- Backfill, firm the soil gently, and water deeply so it settles around the roots.
- Add 2 to 3 in of mulch, keeping it a few inches away from the canes.
- Water deeply once or twice a week the first season, and wear thorn-proof gloves when you prune.
Watch how it's done
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