How to plant a rose bush

Roses will grow in a wide variety of soils and situations, and will survive with relatively little attention. Follow these basic steps to plant healthy rose bushes that will add beauty to any property.

Roses do best in an open, sunny location that has a fairly rich, slightly acid soil. If humus is added, clay soil is excellent. Good drainage is essential, although roses need ample watering in the absence of rain. Once planted, roses will survive in the same bed for many years if the ground is regularly mulched and fed. Moisture retention in the soil is of utmost importance.

1. A month before planting, dig the ground to the depth of a spade, and work in about one-third by volume of humusy material, such as compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure. No fertilizer need be added at this time.
2. Leave the topsoil untrampled so that it is loose and air can circulate.  Heavy clay and sandy soils will need even more organic matter, often as much as one-half by volume. In addition to those materials mentioned above, chopped-up turf is excellent when available, since it breaks down into humus quickly and its nutrients will not leach out of the soil rapidly.
3. After this initial improvement of the planting site, roses in clay and sandy soils benefit greatly from yearly application of a top-dressing of well-rotted manure or garden compost.
4. If the soil is alkaline, spread two buckets of peat moss and one handful of elemental sulfur per square metre (square three feet), and mix it well into the top 15 to 25 centimetres (six to 10 inches) of soil.
5. Be sure to wear protective gloves when handling the elemental sulfur. If the soil is too acidic (below a pH of 5.5), apply ground limestone at a rate of one to two kilograms (four pounds) per 10 square metres (35 square feet).In areas where it is difficult to provide proper drainage, you may want to consider planting your roses in raised beds.

The best time to plant bare-root roses in cold areas of the country is in early spring. This gives the roots time to become established before top growth begins.

1. Dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots without crowding them when they are spread out in the natural position in which they have been growing. Some roots grow toward one side.
2. Instructions often call for planting the roses on a mound of soil with the roots spread down the sides. Unless done carefully, however, this procedure can lead to planting at an improper depth.
3. Plant 40 centimetres (15 inches) from a path or lawn. On average, plant to a depth of 60 centimetres (25 inches), although ramblers will need about one metre (three feet) of soil depth.
4. Spread out the roots, and comb them out with the fingers to keep them from crossing. They should not be coiled around the circumference of the hole. All roses require firm planting.
5. When the hole is about two-thirds filled, tread the soil around the perimeter of the roots.
6. Then slowly add water to fill the hole, and let it soak in before adding more soil. This helps to eliminate the air pockets.
7. Finish filling the hole, and make a catch basin around the edge of the hole to hold water in the root area.
8. After watering again, mound 15 centimetres (six inches) of soil over the canes for a few weeks to prevent drying.
9. Remove the extra soil before the buds begin to swell in spring.