(bare-root or container roses)
Planting period
Bare-root roses are planted from November to March-early April. Containers can be planted all year round. Avoid planting in sub-zero temperatures or during heatwaves with water restrictions.
Exposure
Roses prefer full sun, with a minimum of 4 hours of sunshine a day. Some can be planted in semi-shade.
Soil
Roses prefer heavy, rich soil. In poor soil, an organic amendment at planting is recommended. Grafted on Rosa corymbifera Laxa, our roses adapt to all soils, even chalky. If you wish to replant a rose in the place of another, it is essential to change the soil over at least 50cm in all directions (width, length, depth).
Reception/storage
Bare-root roses can be stored in their packaging for a week in a cool place. After that, they should be planted temporarily. Containerized roses should be packed as soon as received and watered. They can be kept outdoors for several weeks, with daily watering.
Preparing roses for planting
Bare-root roses:
- Soak the rose completely in water (branches and roots)
- Keep only the 3 best branches, pruning them short above a bud (between 5 and 8cm).
- Only lightly prune the roots.
Containerized roses:
- Soak the root ball without removing the container until there are no more air bubbles on the surface, to moisten the substrate.
- No pruning is necessary.
- Remove the container and do not scrape the root ball to avoid damaging the roots.
Planting (for both bare-root and container roses)
- Dig a 40cm square hole in all directions (width, length, depth).
- If necessary, enrich the soil by mixing it with organic matter such as well-decomposed horse manure (approx. 3kg/plant).
- Place a little of your mixture at the bottom of the hole and position the rose bush so that the level of the soil, after filling, arrives just below the grafting point (bulge under the branches).
To ensure perfect contact between the filling mixture and the roots or root ball of the rose bush, fill the planting hole with water 2/3 of the way through. Once the water has been absorbed by the soil, finish filling and water again. Don't pack the plant at the base, as this will damage the roots and prevent water from penetrating later. For containers, make sure the filling mixture covers the top of the root ball.
After planting
Regular watering (10l of water per week on average) during the year following planting is essential for good growth, whether you're planting a bare-root rose or a container plant. In hot weather, the weekly watering dose may be higher (2 or 3 times 10l of water).
Planting in pots
All the good practices mentioned above apply to pot planting. Choose a substrate based on topsoil (1/3 minimum) and rich in organic matter (compost, horse manure, etc.). Avoid pure horticultural compost, which is too drying. In pots or containers, watering is even more important than in the ground, since the rose is dependent on its gardener. Fertilizers should be added regularly.