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Do you want to keep your roses a little longer?

Is it too cold or wet to work in the garden? Or do you just not have time? No problem. Here we explain how to preserve roses.

"Bare root roses should not sprout in the packaging. Place the roots in cold water and store them in a dark place, such as the shed. Plant them as soon as possible to prevent drying out."

Store tubers in a sheltered, frost-free place in the shade. Check daily in warm and dry weather to ensure the soil does not become too dry. Water if necessary, even multiple times a day in very hot weather. In autumn and winter, water moderately.

You can always plant roses except when it freezes.

  • A spade
  • A watering can or bucket filled with water
  • Good garden soil or rose soil (preferably organic)

When choosing a place, there are two points you should pay close attention to.

Never plant a rose in the same spot where a rose has been. If you still want to do this, first dig out the soil well and replace it with good soil from another spot in the garden, supplemented with garden soil or rose fertilizer.

1. By far the majority of roses need at least 5 hours of sun per day. Roses do not grow and bloom well in the shade. Therefore, always choose a sunny spot.

2. Are you planning to plant a climbing rose against a wall or fence? Then keep enough distance from the wall so that the rose does not end up dry under a roof. And remember that the soil around the house is often poor. Therefore, make sure you have enough garden or rose soil.

Do you have everything at hand and have you found a good spot? Great, then we can get to work.

Planting a bare root rose in the open ground

Bare root

First, place the roots in a bucket of cold water before you start planting.

1. Loosen the soil well with a spade and dig a sufficiently large hole. The hole should be wide enough for the root runners to lie free and not be folded over. For the depth, it is important that large side shoots at the top of the root (this is called the bud point) are about 5 cm below the ground. This may look a bit odd, but the side branches need to be covered with soil. This prevents wild growth and protects the rose from frost. Remember not to add any manure or other nutrients to the hole. We will do this later.

2. Add 3 to 4 handfuls of garden soil or rose soil with your other hand.

3. Press the soil firmly with your foot so that the soil closes nicely around the plant's roots.

4. Water the rose well so that the root becomes nicely moist and repeat this during dry periods except when it is freezing.

Roses in pots planted in the open ground

Roses in pot

The most important thing about planting a rose in a pot is that you do not damage the root system when you take the rose out of the plastic pot.

1. Make a large planting hole at least 50×50 cm in size.

2. Improve the soil by filling the hole with rose or garden soil, preferably organic. This keeps the soil around the roots fresh and maintains an active soil life.

3. Remove the rose from the plastic pot and place it in the planting hole with soil. Make sure the root ball does not get damaged. A handy way to prevent damage is to cut the pot open on two sides down to the bottom and carefully remove the rose with the root ball using both hands.

4. Fill in with soil and press it down firmly.

5. Give the rose plenty of water and repeat this regularly during dry spells, except when it is freezing.

Roses in plants in a pot.

Pots

Most roses can be planted in a large pot. The pot can actually not be big enough and should be at least 45 centimeters deep. Always transplant a rose into a larger pot.

1. Make a large planting hole at least 50×50 cm in size.

2. Cover the bottom of the pot with a layer of shards or clay pellets so that the water can drain well.

3. Be careful with the roots of the rose when transferring, they are sensitive. And make sure they have enough space. 

4. Fill the pot with rose soil, hold the rose with one hand and fill with soil up to above the spot where the side branches come out of the root. 

5. Place the pot in a sunny spot. Roses love open spaces that ventilate well, this is also important to prevent mold.

Roses in a pot need extra attention. Give the rose water and nutrients regularly in warmth and dryness. You can easily add liquid nutrients to the watering can.

Tuscan Terracotta

Leading a climbing rose against a wall or fence

Climbing rose

Have you planned the climbing rose against a wall or fence? Then try to bend the branches as horizontally as possible instead of letting them climb straight up. By allowing them to grow more horizontally, they will become less bare at the bottom and bloom more evenly along the entire length of the branch instead of just at the top. If you let the branches grow horizontally at a distance of about 50 centimeters from each other, you will achieve a nice full appearance.

Putting roses in the vase

Cut roses

When you receive the box of cut roses, the roses may look wilted or dry. This is normal due to transportation. Follow these steps to refresh your roses and enjoy their beauty for a long time:
Remove the stems from the box and cut about 2 cm straight off the bottom of each stem with sharp scissors. Place the roses directly in a bucket of cold water and let them hydrate for at least 2 hours while still wrapped in the paper and cardboard. This helps to refresh the flowers firmly.
Fill a clean vase with water to about 2/3 full, preferably lukewarm water. Add the provided rose food to extend the lifespan of the flowers.
Remove the paper and cardboard from the roses and cut the stems at an angle again for optimal water absorption.
Arrange the roses in the vase and make sure all the flowers can absorb water properly.
Place the vase in a suitable location: Do not place the vase in direct sunlight or near a heat source. This way, the roses will retain their freshness longer.

We try to make as much use as possible of recyclable and compostable packaging materials. Unfortunately, this is not always possible yet. Therefore, always dispose of cardboard and plastic separately.

Due to climate change, we are increasingly experiencing periods of heat and drought in Europe. Watering is important for a rose, especially if it has been planted recently. Water your roses early in the morning before the garden has warmed up to reduce the chance of fungal diseases, as the rose can dry better. On really hot days, you may pamper your roses twice a day with a refreshing sip of water. Roses that you have planted in a pot need extra attention and water.

On our care page, you will find more tips and information. Also about pruning roses. Check out our care tips