Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Plant Roses (and How to Do It for Gorgeous Spring Flowers)

“Is fall a good time to plant roses?” The simple answer is a resounding YES! Actually, it is an ideal period to bring some new English shrub, hybrid tea, floribunda, climbing or other varieties of this stupendous flower to your garden. And let’s be honest no green space can call itself a “corner of paradise” without at least one! But of course, with the cold season coming there are a few precautions to take – and you need to know all the tips and steps to transplant your rose safely and successfully…

So, if you want to plant a rose (or more?) in your garden in fall, here is all you need to know so it settles well and, next spring, it bursts with fresh leaves and then – gorgeous blooms, of course!

Spring or Fall? Which One Is the Best Season to Plant Roses?

You may think that the best time for planting roses in your garden is spring? Think again! Let’s see why…

• Planting roses in fall, roses may cost you less.
• If you plant them in fall, they will blossom earlier, while in spring they will take time, and the first bloom may be disappointing.
• If instead you plant roses in fall, they will have more time to settle in.
• In fall, there is more moisture.
• Again, in fall, there are fewer pests (and newly planted roses are quite vulnerable!)
• In fall, there is less competition for resources (food, light, water…) from weeds and other plants.

On the other hand, in cold climates, if you plant your roses in fall it is risky, as frost may come early and you may lose your precious shrub. To be safe, I would suggest autumn transplanting in USDA zones 7 and above.

But if you get your timing right…

How to Time Planting Roses in the Fall

Your rose needs time to settle in before winter comes, so, you should plant roses in fall 6 to 8 weeks before the first day of frost is expected. At that stage, the shrub or climber you have chosen will have some time before going dormant, just enough to get the roots established in the new soil.

Choose a Healthy and Well Shaped Rose!

Even if in fall roses may be cheaper, that doesn’t mean that they should be weak. And often they are – some have spent months on a shelf and that’s not ideal… Yet another issue you may have is that you find fewer varieties on sale, and, for this reason, the first tip I have for you is to purchase it from a reputable nursery. Then…

• Check that your rose is healthy and it has no rot, diseases etc.
• Check that shrub roses are well shaped, as a basket and without main branches going inside.
• Check that it has at least 3 strong and healthy branches (or canes).
• Finally, remember that grafted roses are stronger! And they are very common nowadays, though they may cost a bit more.

Now, you can buy bare root roses or in containers. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but for fall planting, I would suggest you choose a potted one, especially if you are not experienced. They cost a bit more, but they are not dormant, and they are easier to plant, though you may have a smaller selection.

In any case, we’ll look at how to plant both. And now we can start, in fact!

Soil, Light and Growing Conditions

No matter how strong the rose you chose, if the growing conditions are wrong, it will let you down.

• Roses are not picky about the type of soil (loam is best, but they grow in clay chalky or sandy soils too), but…
• The soil needs to be fertile, organically rich and very well drained. So, amend it if necessary.
• Most roses like a full Sun position, though a few varieties can grow in part shade.
• Roses don’t like windy places, so find a sheltered spot.
• And a final tip few people know: roses don’t like to grow near big trees! They want to be the protagonists!

Prepare Your Roses Before Transplanting Them

You cannot tell a rose, “This is your new home,” without some notice! Remember? They like to be treated like queens! But it depends on which one you chose:

• Soak bare root roses in a bucket of water for 2 to 3 hours, so the roots rehydrate before planting them. But not longer, or you will suffocate them.
• Water container roses before planting them.
• Remember that you must transplant bare root roses within a few days from buying them (it’s another disadvantage).
• A simple way to get a container rose out of the pot is to cut the bottom of the pot and then the side. They are usually very thin plastic, and a sharp knife will do the trick.

Now you have prepared your roses, you need to prepare their “new home” as well…

Prepare the Hole to Plant Your Rose

Even before you start preparing the hole, check the weather! You want a mild day, and without strong winds. Then, in the morning…

• Dig a hole that’s at least twice as large and deep as the container.
• Check the drainage: pour some water in it, and see how fast it drains. If it takes too long (more than 15 minutes for a gallon, or 4 liters..)
• Dig deeper and add drainage at the bottom (sand, gravel etc.)

By the way, square holes are better than round ones! Now, wait till the evening when you will actually be planting your rose.

Prepare the Soil for Your Rose

Mix the soil you will be using to fill the hole beforehand; it’s safer and easier. If you do it when you have already planted the rose, you risk ruining its roots. But which soil?

As we said, roses prefer loam but they adapt to most organically rich, fertile and well drained types with pH between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). But I’ll give you an ideal mix:

• 50% Garden Soil/Loamy Soil
• 30% Organic Matter (Compost or Well-Rotted Manure)
• 15% Coarse Sand or Perlite
• 5% Bone Meal and Worm Castings

Feathers at the bottom of the hole is an old trick to give your roses a long-lasting supply of nutrients, but don’t put Epsom salt in fall – it will go wasted and it may promote blooming too early.

You can use rose specific soil that you can buy off the shelf too, ready made and easy to use.

And now, that magic moment!

Plant the Rose in Your Garden

It is now time to move your rose to her new home… Nothing could be easier…

• With potted roses, tease out some of the younger roots from the soil in the container; that will get them used to the new soil.
• Fill the bottom of the hole with the soil mix, so that the rose base is at the same level as the ground.
• Place the rose in the middle of the hole.
• Fill the sides with the soil mix.
• With bare root roses, fill in all the gaps between the roots. This is the tricky bit. The best way is to place the rose and fill in all the space by degrees, in layers.
• Leave the graft base (“understock” technically) or main stemoutside. The rose needs to stay at the same level as in the pot.
• Press the soil gently with your foot.
• Water abundantly.
• Mulch.

But it’s not the end of the story…

What to Do After You Have Planted a Rose in Fall

The roses you buy in spring are already pruned, those you purchase in fall are not. And this is in fact time to get your pruning gear out and give it a “little trim”.

However, this is not the spring pruning, when you really reduce the shrub down to 18 to 20 inches, so…

• Aim to prune about 2/3 of the whole rose.
• Cut all sick, dry, crossing and inward pointing stems.
• Remove all hips, blooms (if any), and dry or sick leaves.
• Leave some healthy foliage on, it will still need it for some time.

And after this, it’s all regular maintenance, so, water it regularly (but not too much, it’s cold and wet already and your rose is going dormant). Also keep checking for pests and diseases, and when the first frost approaches, do protect your shrub or climber from the cold – it is still very weak and it risks damage or freezing.

A good rose cone for shrub varieties is ideal, a burlap or other breathable material to wrap up cane roses, if they are too big, will protect them from wind and cold. And when spring comes… Your rose will be ready to give you happiness and blooms!

Planting Roses in Fall – A Good Choice After All!

So, now you know all the “tricks of the trade” and secrets to make sure that if you plant roses in your garden in fall, they will settle in nicely and be ready to grow new leaves and marvelous blooms when the new season comes. Maybe it’s time to pick a good variety for your garden then? Why don’t youchoose a super fragrant variety here?