This year is a big year for roses because we’ve totally revamped our rose selection. Now, our rose selection is handpicked just for front-range planting. A concern for growing roses this year is the wishy-washy weather. Because we had an extreme La Niña winter, warm and dry, there’s no saying how our spring will be. Whether cold or hot, roses need help getting established, even despite the term “hardy” on a rose’s label. They retain their hardy nature as the plants are establishing, but all plants, from the rose to trees, need help getting established. In this article, we’ll walk you through our techniques.

 

Planting Location

Before you plant a rose, first pick a spot. We presume you have the perfect spot for roses; however, if not, or if this is your first time planting a rose shrub, we’ve got you covered. Location is determined by the rose variety. If it’s a shrub-style rose, pick a spot that allows for room to grow and spread out. If it’s a dwarf shrub rose, you can look for spots between hedge rows or close to a house. The roses should have labels that display their full mature size and space requirements. Avoid planting under a tree, as the established tree will compete with the rose for nutrients and win (American Rose Society). A climbing rose, on the other hand, will require a structure to climb on, like a trellis, pergola, wall, etc. A climbing rose will likewise need to be trained to climb a wall, via placing horizontal wires for the rose to anchor to or stakes (Edmonson). Tying the roses with garden twine, tape, or wire is perfect for a trellis and an obelisk.

The amount of sunlight a rose receives, its protection from winter winds, and soil health likewise determine the rose’s health and lifespan. Roses need 6 to 8 hours of full sun, save for a few shade-tolerant varieties. Strong morning sun is the best for roses as it’s unlikely to fry foliage (Nelson). They also need well-draining soil, as roses dislike clay-heavy soils (Stark Bros). You should not plant roses in heavy clay soil.

 

Acclimating Roses

It’s not uncommon for roses to be grown in a greenhouse. A few we receive will probably be grown in one, though these roses will never be labeled as such. To be safe, it’s best to treat ALL new roses as though they’ve been grown in a greenhouse. Thus, they’ll need extra TLC to adapt to your yard or garden. First, you should allow a few days for roses to acclimate in ideal weather. There shouldn’t be any rain, snow, sleet, frost, or extreme heat in the forecast. Likewise, you should allow the soil to reach a consistent 50 degrees both during the day and overnight before planting roses (Stark Bros). A rose can survive in various soil temperatures once acclimated; it’s just sensitive for the first year. If temperatures are expected to drop below zero, bring the rose inside.

The delivery teams that transport roses from their greenhouses to our nursery don’t water the plants during transport, so we water them as soon as they arrive at Rick’s. Do the same when you bring them home. As long as they remain in containers, allow roses to dry out between watering to help them harden off. Place roses in the shade or semi-shade for a day or two before planting (Stark Bros). The rose can then be moved to a sunny spot for another day or two, still remaining inside the pot. A light breeze should be felt in spots where roses are placed during this “adaptation” period, as wind likewise helps roses harden off.

Roses can be planted after acclimation and once soil temperatures are consistently 50 degrees. You may see signs of stress, such as wilt or leaf loss, which is common as plants undergo transplant shock. The acclimation process, however, should help alleviate major leaf loss and transplant shock.

 

Planting Roses

A rose’s planting depth and hole size relate to location. If you plant a rose in a raised bed or location with prepared soil (soil has been repeatedly treated with amendments), dig between 18 to 24 inches in diameter and 14 to 15 inches deep (Nelson). The height of the bud union will determine the depth of potted roses (Nelson). A bud union is the location where new canes emerge and is covered in mulch or soil in cold climates (Arena Rose Company). To accommodate the size of the roses’ roots, give or take a few inches to these measurements if need be. When planting in compacted or untreated soil, the hole should be about 36 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep (Nelson). Aerating near the hole before planting is likewise helpful for loosening compacted soil.

A potted rose should then be carefully removed from its nursery container, gently breaking apart its roots if tightly bound. This is to avoid root encircling, which can be detrimental to any plant’s lifespan (Nelson). Place the rose in the hole dug for it, making sure the bud union is 2” below ground level (Nelson). Cover the bud union when returning dirt to the hole and water the plant thoroughly. Water daily for 3 weeks, especially if temperatures are over 80 degrees (Roebken). You can then limit watering to 2 to 3 days for 12 weeks, until the rose is considered fully established and needs only weekly watering (Minnesota). Water close to the base of the plant and avoid wetting foliage, because it attracts fungus and disease (Roebken). Winter watering is essential for the rose and should be done 3 to 4 times a month until temperatures are above 60 degrees. This technique will also work with bare-root roses; you must plant them either in April or late fall (Nelson). Cover roses with mulch for insulation and water retention.

 

Fertilizing Roses

Fertilizing roses the first year requires certain rules. You should never use a fertilizer with a high NPK ratio in the first year, which appears on fertilizer bags as a set of three numbers. For example, an NPK ratio of 10-10-10, 20-20-20, or 12-10-11 is too high for the first year. You should look for a slow-release, organic fertilizer (Roebken). One made with chicken manure is perfect! An ideal NPK ratio would be something like 4-5-2, 4-4-4, or 4-5-3. Sprinkle the recommended amount of fertilizer for a newly planted rose (the fertilizer company will have this information on the packaging), and every time you water, the fertilizer goes into the soil to feed the rose. During planting, use as much original soil as possible, opting for topsoil if it’s the only other option. Avoid planting with compost or spreading compost over the bud union in the first year. Fertilize the year after, during early spring and mid-fall. Avoid liquids the first year because of how chemically harsh they can be (Roebken).

 

Even though it can be daunting, perfecting the planting technique is essential for a rose’s health. Roses are a timeless garden staple that add color and elegance to any garden. Just because they require extra TLC doesn’t mean they should be avoided! If you’re interested in further reading, we’ve provided our sources below for reference. Happy gardening!

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American Rose Society. “Right Rose – Right Place – American Rose Society.” American Rose Society, 18 Jan. 2023, rose.org/right-rose-right-place-2/.

Arena Rose Company. “The Anatomy of a Bare Root Rose,” Reagan Nursery. Com, 2000, www.regannursery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.anatomy/index.htm. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

Edmondson, Megan. “How to Train and Tie-in Climbing Roses.” David Austin Roses – US, 8 Aug. 2024, www.davidaustinroses.com/blogs/rose-care/how-to-train-and-tie-in-roses. Accessed 1 May 2026.

Nelson, A.W. “Selecting and Planting Roses | Colorado State University Extension.” Colorado State University Office of Engagement and Extension, 10 June 2025, extension.colostate.edu/resource/selecting-and-planting-roses/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

Roebken, McKinsey. “Rose Article.” Received by PFC. 1 May 2026. Email Critique.

(McKinsey is one of our favorite landscapers to work with. Her company is 2 In The Garden, her company phone number is (719)761-0289.)

Stark Bro’s. “Choosing a Location for Roses – Stark Bro’s.” Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co., 2026, www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/how-to-grow/garden-plants/roses/location. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

University of Minnesota. “Watering Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs.” Umn.edu, 2018, extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs.

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