Do you have a rose bush you love but you’d love even more if it were in another part of the garden? With a rose, transplanting takes some care and planning, but your rose is likely to come through just fine as long as you follow a few basic guidelines.
When to transplant
In most climates, the best time to transplant roses is early spring. At this time, the plant is still mostly dormant so the move won’t be as much of a shock as it would be if you transplanted it during blooming season. Because the rose is just starting to “wake up” so to speak, you’ll be able to look for signs of disease like root gall. What’s more, the increasingly warm weather will help the rose grow into its new spot.
You can also transplant roses in late fall in late October or early November. The only thing is you’ll need to time it right because the soil should be warm enough for the rose to re-establish its roots before the frost. On the other hand, for a winter-blooming rose, transplanting should take place in the summer, since that’s when these roses are dormant.
Do your prep-work
When you need to move a rose, transplanting is easier if you soak the ground around them for a few days. Softening the ground this way makes it easier to dig up the whole plant without accidentally cutting the roots. If the soil at the old location wasn’t so great, now’s your chance to get it right. Use manure or chopped sod to create the light, rich, slightly acid soil roses love. Next, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the rose’s roots and the soil that will be attached to them. Then create a small mound of soil in the middle of the hole to help the plant settle into place.
Remove the rose
Use a spade or small shovel to dig all the way around the rose. Try to dig relatively deep to avoid cutting off any roots and so that you can dig up a good amount of soil. Occasionally lift the rose up and check to see where any major roots are located so you can dig them out. When you’ve got the rose out of the ground, look over the roots for signs of disease.
Replant the rose
Place the rose into the new hole and gently spread the roots out a bit. The rose should be set a little higher than ground level because it will naturally settle deeper. Fill the hole in and carefully pack the soil down. Thoroughly water the shrub and make sure the ground around it stays damp over the next few days.
When you have a rose, transplanting methods are important to know. If you ever need to move a rose bush quickly, you’ll know how to do it without endangering your beautiful plant.