How to Plant Bare-Root Roses
Bare-root roses look like little more than a bundle of sticks and roots — but don't be fooled. Planted well in winter, they establish faster and grow stronger than potted roses, and they cost less too. Here's everything you need for a confident start.
When to plant
In Australia, bare-root roses are planted in the dormant winter season, roughly June to August. The rose is asleep, so it can be lifted, posted and replanted with almost no stress — settling its roots in before the spring growth surge.
What you'll need
- A sunny spot (6+ hours of sun)
- Free-draining soil, improved with compost
- A bucket of water
- Secateurs, a spade, and some mulch
Step by step
- Soak the roots. Stand the roots in a bucket of water for 1–2 hours (up to overnight) before planting — never let them dry out.
- Dig a generous hole, wide enough to spread the roots without bending them, and loosen the base.
- Make a small mound in the centre and drape the roots over it so the bud union (the knobbly graft point) sits just at or slightly above soil level.
- Backfill with improved soil, firming gently to remove air pockets.
- Water in deeply to settle the soil around the roots.
- Mulch around (not against) the stem to hold moisture and warmth.
The first season
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged while the rose wakes up. Hold off on heavy feeding until you see strong new growth in early spring, then feed with a quality rose food. Resist the urge to prune hard in year one — let it build strength.
Ready to plant? Browse our bare-root roses, or explore our David Austin, heritage and Australian-bred ranges.