How to Plant

Plant packaged or winter roses immediately upon receipt or purchase. Dig the holes first, meanwhile keep the roses in a cool dim position. If roses are packaged, unwrap each rose - gently loosen it free of the packing material and stand it in a bucket of water for at least 60 minutes. Do not put the packaging material into the holes, spread packing soil on surface to dispose of it.

Until planted it is essential to protect the whole plant from the drying effect of wind and sun while ensuring the plants do not dry out at all. These instructions apply also to winter roses which are not carrying soil.

spring growing rose

winter mail order rose

garden centre packaged winter rose

check out the video of Dave "the guru" Cooper showing exactly how you get rose plants off to a great start _click here to view_

and here's the same instruction for planting the new "pot n all"(same principles for a potted sring rose!!) _click here to view_

To keep winter roses longer than 2 days, dig one large hole and plant all your bushes in it as per the instructions above. They will keep for some time if watered daily. Cut off any damaged branch tips but otherwise do not prune.

Packaged roses can be kept in their packs in a cool room for 7-10 days. Water every two days throught the neck of the bag, loosen a little if needed. Any shoots that may emerge should be removed at planting or allow them to burn off once planted in the sun.

Note: Packaged and winter roses are equally good. Packaging is only used to hold roses in store ready for despatch. Winter roses are easier to carry and minimise shipping costs. Growing potted roses are planted like any other shrub. Remove container. Do Not disturb the roots. Simply plant the soil ball.

Swane's Gro Cubes	slurry planting	mulch mulch mulch
The Planting Hole These directions only apply to all winter and packaged roses. Dig a hole 50cm across and 50cm deep. Fill the hole with water and allow it to drain away. The bud union (a knot,on the lower stem) should finish 2.5cm to 5cm above ground level when the hole is filled in. Make a mound, with Swane's Rose Planting Mix, in the centre and sit the central core of roots on it. Cover with soil and Swane's Rose Planting Mix mixed at 50/50. Fill in half-way and firm down. Fill the hole with water again and let it drain away. Fill to top of hole leaving a saucer shaped depression in the centre so water will drain to the rose. Firm and water once more. Mulch immediately with Swane's Gro Cubes. Do not use fertilisers at planting time as the newly forming roots will burn minimising the uptake of moisture and increasing the chance of dieback. Water thoroughly and daily as new growth is produced, never allow the area to dry out until the plants are fully established. This may take 10 - 12 weeks.

planting alignment

slurry planting

mulch mulch mulch

Planting Tree Roses
Drive a 1.4m x 2.5cm hardwood stake 45cm into a hole first. Tie tree roses to the stake with four figure of eight ties of soft material such as old nylon stockings to prevent the rose from rubbing against its support, make four evenly spaced ties, one near the head.

Weeping Tree Roses
A 20mm x 2.2m or 2.4m length of pipe or metal trainer is driven into the hole, the rose placed beside and close to the stake to which it is tied in 6 places. Weepers are always kept staked but as tree roses age and support themselves their stakes can be removed. As life time support is needed for weepers, it is wise to invest in a quality, galvanised rose ring (trainer) and metal pipe. Click for more information on Rose Trainers.

Plant tree roses after the stake is positioned. The rose is planted close to it and tied with four evenly spaced figure-of-eight ties.

A rose bush where pruning has been carried out and each cut is at a 45 degree angle slanting away from the bud.

Pruning

Pruning should be done at least twice a year. Regular pruning invigorates the bush and allows continuous blooming and can take the form of "deadheading" old flowers or picking fresh bunches regularly.
In winter (on established roses of 1 year or more in age in your garden) bushes should be pruned back by 60% of their growth making sure that the oldest wood and weak spindly growth is removed.
Control of rose scale and black spot should commence immediately after the winter pruning while the plant is leafless, using a lime sulphur spray available at all nursery outlets.
Ensure that the bush is pruned in a manner which opens the centre of the plant to good air circulation, allowing plenty of sunshine to reach all the stems.
In summer, remove 40% of growth, again ensuring that any weak or damaged stems are removed.
Fertilise after each major prune, at least, with Organic Life and at 12 weekly intervals throughout the growing season if possible.

Full pruning instruction for all types of roses is available in our Rose Care Guide

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