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Want to keep your roses for a while?

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 store roses.

Storing bare root 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 them from drying out."

Storing roses in pots

Store potted roses in a sheltered, frost-free place in the shade. In warm and dry weather, check daily to ensure that the soil is not becoming too dry. Water as necessary, even several times a day in very hot weather. Water moderately in autumn and winter.

How to plant a rose

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)

Choosing the right place

There are two points you should pay close attention to when choosing a location.

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

1. The vast 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 planting a climbing rose against a facade or fence? Then keep sufficient distance from the wall so that the rose does not end up dry under a roof. And remember that the soil around the home 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.

Plant a bare root rose in the open ground

Bare root

Place the roots in a bucket of cold water before you start planting.

1. Loosen the soil well with the spade and dig a sufficiently large hole. The hole should be wide enough that the root shoots are exposed and not folded in half. For depth, it is important that large side shoots at the top of the root (this is called the oculation point) grow approximately 5 cm below the ground. This may look a bit crazy, but the side branches should be covered with soil. This prevents proliferation and protects the rose against frost. Remember not to put manure or other nutrients in the hole. We will do this later.

2. With your other hand, add 3 to 4 handfuls of garden soil or rose soil.

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

4. Water the rose well so that the root becomes nice and moist and repeat this during periods of drought, except when it is freezing.

Plant roses in pots in the open ground

Roses in pot

The most important thing about planting a rose in a pot is not to damage the root system when you remove the rose from the plastic pot.

1. Make a large planting hole of at least 50x50 cm.

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

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

4. Fill with soil and press it firmly.

5. Give the rose plenty of water and repeat this regularly in case of drought, except when it is freezing.

Roses in plants in a pot.

Pots

You can plant most roses in a large pot. The pot cannot actually be large enough and should be at least 45 centimeters deep. Always transplant a rose into a larger pot.

1. Make a large planting hole of at least 50x50 cm.

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

3. When transferring, be careful with the roots of the rose, 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 above the place where the side branches emerge from the root. 

5. Place the pot in a sunny spot. Roses like open space that is well ventilated, this is also important to prevent mold.

Roses in a pot need extra attention. Provide the rose with regular water and nutrition during heat and drought. You can easily add liquid food to the watering can.

Tuscan Terracotta

Train 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 horizontally as much as possible instead of letting them climb vertically. By growing them more horizontally, they become less bare at the bottom and bloom more evenly over 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 get a nice full picture.

Putting roses in a vase

Cut roses

When you receive the box of cut roses, the roses may look limp or dry. This is normal due to transport. Follow these steps to refresh your roses and enjoy their beauty for a long time:
Remove the stems from the box and use sharp scissors to cut straight across about 2cm from the bottom of each stem. Immediately place the roses in a bucket of cold water and let them hydrate for at least 2 hours while they are still wrapped in the paper and cardboard. This helps to freshen up the flowers.
Fill a clean vase about 2/3 full with water, preferably lukewarm water. Add the supplied rose food to extend the life of the flowers.
Remove the paper and cardboard from the roses and cut the stems diagonally again for optimal water absorption.
Arrange the roses in the vase and make sure that all flowers can absorb water well.
Place the vase in a suitable location: Do not place the vase in direct sunlight or near a heat source. This way the roses retain their freshness for longer.

Where do you put the packaging materials?

We try to use recyclable and compostable packaging materials as much as possible. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Therefore, always return the cardboard and plastic separately.

Watering roses

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

Other tips:

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