How to Grow Roses: A Complete Guide to Planting & Care

Roses are a special addition to any garden and with modern hybridization, they're easier to grow than ever. Breck’s collection of roses are bred for disease resistance, repeat blooming and vigorous growth. With the right location, a good planting technique and consistent care, your roses will reward you with stunning colour and fragrance for years to come.

Our selection includes two types of roses in their dormant, bareroot state: Premium Own Root and Premium WOW! Root roses. Premium WOW! Root roses arrive to you as budded bareroots, with each variety grafted onto hardy rootstock for added vigour and resilience. This traditional method produces strong, reliable roses that establish faster and deliver more immediate garden impact.

For simplicity, we’ll refer to both as bareroot roses while we cover the fundamentals of growing and caring for your new plants.

Where To Plant Roses: Choosing the Right Location & Preparing Soil

The most important decision you'll make for your rose bareroots is where to plant them. Getting this right sets the foundation for everything that follows.

Sunlight Requirements

Most roses need at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Morning sun is ideal for roses—it dries dew from the leaves quickly, which helps prevent fungal disease. Afternoon shade is acceptable and even beneficial in hotter climates.

Insufficient sun leads to leggy growth and reduced blooming. 

Shrub roses and climbing roses can tolerate slightly more shade

Soil Drainage & Soil Preparation

Taking time to prepare your soil before planting is a smart investment in the long-term health of your roses. A little preparation at the beginning will help result in healthier, larger plants and more flowers!

Ideal Soil for Growing Roses:

•  Roses thrive in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH level between 5.8 and 6.2. 
• Remember that waterlogged roots quickly lead to disease and root rot.

Soil Testing:  

• Have your soil tested for nutrition and pH level before starting a new rose bed.
• Before planting, test drainage by digging a 12" hole and filling it with water; it should drain within 15 minutes.
• Retest each spring for the best long-term results.

Amending Soil: 

• If drainage is poor, amend with organic matter such as pine bark, peat moss or compost.
• If soil is clay based or alkaline, add elemental sulfur—a soil conditioner—to lower the pH level and unlock essential nutrients.

Air Circulation 

• Good airflow around your roses reduces the risk of fungal diseases like blackspot and powdery mildew.
• Space multiple roses 4–5' apart.
• Avoid planting in tight corners or against walls with poor airflow.

Curious about different types of roses? See our guide:Types of Roses: How to Choose the Best Rose for Your Garden

When to Plant Roses

The best time to plant roses is in spring, after the last frost. Planting early gives roots time to establish before winter dormancy so the plant can focus all its energy on massive blooms come the following spring. This includes tree roses, each one a rose bush variety grafted onto a single tall rose cane (on hardy rootstock), so it grows like a small “tree” instead of a multistem shrub.

• Check the weather: Plan to plant on a calm, cloudy day and avoid periods of hot sun or high winds, which can stress the plant. 
• Wait for dry soil: Avoid planting in the rain, as working in wet conditions makes the process difficult and can lead to soil compaction.

How to Plant Roses: Preparation

Bareroot roses require special handling immediately upon delivery to ensure they transition successfully to your garden. Keeping roots moist is critical for planting success.

•  As soon as your roses arrive, open the packaging immediately.
• Soak the roots in a bucket of water for at least 1–2 hours, ideally for 8–12 hours.
• Do not soak for more than 24 hours total.
• If you can't plant immediately after soaking, wrap roots in damp newspaper, place in a loosely closed plastic bag, and store in a cool, sheltered area away from sun and wind.
• Always keep roots moist until planted; never expose bareroot plants to direct sun or wind.
• Before planting, canes should be pruned down to 4–5" and any broken roots trimmed off, to improve performance. Note: Breck’s rose bareroots arrive already trimmed.

How to Plant Roses

Follow these steps to properly plant bareroot roses.

Digging the Planting Hole 

A properly sized hole gives roots room to spread and establishes good drainage from the start.

1. Dig 12–18" deep and at least as wide, leaving enough room for all roots to spread without touching the sides.
2. Mix the excavated soil with organic matter: aim for roughly 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 compost and 1/3 original soil. 
3. Add 1 cup of bone meal to the soil mixture for its phosphorus, which encourages strong root development. Do not fertilize bareroot roses at planting time: it will burn the roots.
4.  Form a cone-shaped mound of soil in the center of the hole.
   
   Planting the Rose
   
   
5. Unwrap your bareroot rose and trim off any broken or damaged roots.
6. Set the rose on top of the soil mound, spreading the roots evenly around it.
7. Position the bud union (the swollen knot at the base of the canes) at ground level in mild climates or at 2–3" below ground level in cool climates (Zone 5 and colder).
8.  Fill the hole halfway with your soil mixture and water thoroughly to settle soil and eliminate air pockets.
9. Let the water drain, then fill the remainder of the hole with soil mixture.
10. Water thoroughly again.
11. Mound loose soil up around the canes to protect the plant from temperature swings—this is especially important for bareroot plants.
12. Once new growth shoots are 2–3" long, gently wash away the soil mound with a stream of water. 

After Planting: Initial Watering

The first few weeks after planting are critical for root establishment.

•  Water deeply once a week for the first three weeks. 
• Target the base of the plant—avoid wetting the canes or foliage. 
• Once new growth is visible, you can add 2–3" of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Planting Tree Roses

Tree roses—which consist of a rose bush variety grafted onto hardy rootstock cane—require careful handling to ensure their top-heavy structure remains stable and healthy in their new home. Breck’s tree roses are delivered in grower’s pots with established 36″ trunks.

1. Preparation & Timing

•  Check the Weather – Plan to plant on a calm, cloudy day to avoid stressing the plant with hot sun or high winds. 
• Wait for Dry Soil – Avoid planting in the rain to prevent soil compaction.
  
•  Hydrate – Ensure the rose is well-watered in its original pot before you begin the transplanting process.

2. Digging the Hole 

•  Size Matters – Dig a hole 12–18" deep and at least as wide as the current pot.
• Soil Mixture – Mix the excavated soil with organic matter. Aim for a ratio of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 compost and 1/3 original soil. 
• Root Boost – Add 1 cup of bone meal to the mixture to encourage strong root development. (Note: Do not add standard fertilizer at this time, as it can burn the roots.)

3. Planting the Tree Rose

•  Check Depth – Gently remove the tree rose from its pot. Place it in the hole so it sits at the same depth it was in the container. 
• Stake for Support – Because tree roses are 3' tall, they must be staked firmly to prevent wind damage or leaning. Drive a sturdy stake into the hole before filling it with soil to avoid damaging the root ball later.
  
•  Fill and Settle – Fill the hole halfway with your soil mixture and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. 
• Finish Filling – Once the water drains, fill the remainder of the hole with soil and water again.

4. Immediate Aftercare

• Initial Watering – Water the base of the plant deeply once a week for the first three weeks to help roots establish.
• Mulch – Once you see new growth, apply 2–3" of mulch around the base (keeping it away from the trunk) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Monitor – Watch for new growth of 2–3" before beginning your regular fertilization schedule.

Want planting & gardening tips for each type of rose? See our guide: Types of Roses

How to Care for Roses

Now that your planting is done, it’s time to help your roses thrive. From watering to fertilizing and managing pests and disease, follow these guidelines on caring for roses as they grow.

Watering Your Roses

Consistent moisture is key to healthy roses. Both underwatering and overwatering cause problems.

Roses require the equivalent of 1" of rainfall per week during their active growing season (approximately 3 gallons per plant).

• Water deeply and slowly at the base of the plant; a slow, deep soak is best. It’s more effective than frequent shallow watering, trains roots to grow deeply and improves the drought tolerance of your plants.
• Avoid overhead watering—wet foliage encourages fungal disease.
• Water in the morning so foliage can dry before nighttime.
• In hot summer weather, check soil moisture more frequently.
• During winter dormancy for container roses, water just enough to keep soil slightly moist. 

Fertilizing Roses

Regular feeding keeps roses blooming vigorously throughout the season.

Getting Started

• Do not fertilize bareroot roses at planting time—it will burn new roots.
• Roses benefit from a balanced fertilizer, such the superior slow-release 3-5-3 formula of Roses Alive!™ All-Natural Fertilizer.
• Begin fertilizing roses when new growth is 2–4" long.
• For container roses, fertilize twice a month after plants have leafed out.

 Ongoing Fertilization 

• Feed twice a year when using complete, balanced plant food such as Roses Alive All-Natural Fertilizer.
• Place fertilizer around the plant's drip line, not directly against the stem.
• Roses also benefit from magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) once in spring and once in summer—this encourages new cane growth from the base.
• Stop fertilizing roses completely in September to allow plants to start preparing for winter dormancy. 

Disease Control

Knowing the basics of disease control is essential to growing roses. Modern roses are much more disease resistant than older varieties but consistent prevention is still important.

Preventing Fungal Disease

• Spraying commercial fungicide on the leaves is a helpful step to prevent disease. Begin spraying preventatively as soon as new foliage appears in spring and continue through fall.
• Protect your roses from damage: water them the day before spraying and always apply treatments before 10 a.m.
• Chemical fungicide sprays typically need reapplied every 7–14 days as new leaves develop.

How to Treat Blackspot on Roses

Blackspot appears as dark spots on leaves, eventually causing them to yellow and drop. It thrives in wet conditions. 

• Treat with commercial fungicide at first sign of infection.
• Some gardeners control blackspot successfully by spraying leaves with a diluted magnesium sulfate solution.
• Remove and dispose of infected leaves—do not compost them.
• Avoid wetting foliage when watering. 

How to Treat Powdery Mildew on Roses 

Powdery mildew shows up as a white or gray powder on leaves and stems, usually in cool, damp spring weather.

• Many of the same fungicides that treat blackspot also work on mildew.
• Ensure good air circulation around plants as a preventive step. 

Winter Disease Prevention

Before spring pruning begins, apply a dormant spray of lime-sulfur to all canes and the surrounding soil. This smothers overwintering fungus spores, particularly blackspot, and gives your roses a clean start to the season. If disease was severe the prior year, apply a second time two weeks later.

Pest Control

If you find holes in leaves or webbing among canes, a strong blast of water is one of the best nonchemical tools. A strong stream of water (early in the day to give foliage time to dry out) dislodges and discourages many pests. Then follow up with insecticidal soap.

Monitor for insects but wait until you see them before spraying.

Common rose pests: 

• Aphids: treat with insecticidal soap, Sevin, or Malathion 
• Thrips: use Orthene or Cygon; assume thrips are present once roses bloom
• Spider mites: treat with Ortho Isotox
• Japanese beetles: hand-pick, employ a trap or use an appropriate insecticide.
  
  Tip: Always wear gloves and follow label directions. 

Pruning Your Roses

Pruning keeps roses healthy, improves air circulation, removes dead and diseased wood, and encourages new blooms.

For detailed pruning instructions and guidelines for different rose types, see our guide: Complete Rose Pruning Guide: Techniques, Timing & Variety-Specific Tips

Below are the general guidelines for pruning roses throughout the season:

Main Annual Pruning in Early Spring
- The primary pruning of the year happens in early spring to encourage new growth.
- Don't prune too early. A late frost after pruning can damage tender new growth.
- Remove all debris from the rose bed, such as fallen leaves, sticks and weeds to avoid harboring disease or fungal spores.
- Begin regular watering once pruning is complete.

Deadheading Throughout the Season 
- Removing spent blooms during the growing season is not pruning in the traditional sense, but it's an essential ongoing task that keeps roses flowering continuously from late spring through fall.

Fall Pruning: Light Cutting Back 
- After the first hard frost, it’s time to prepare plants for winter and prune them back to prevent breakage and winter damage.
- Don't do your main hard pruning in fall. Heavy fall pruning stimulates new growth that will be damaged by frost.

How to Care for Roses over the Winter

If you live in a zone colder than Zone 5, protect your roses from winter cold. Container roses need extra attention in any zone where temperatures dip below freezing.

In-Ground Roses 

• After the first killing frost of fall, mound loose soil at least 8" high over the base of the plant.
• Cover the mound and remaining exposed canes with hay, straw, grass clippings, oak leaves or similar organic material.
• In spring, after the last frost, carefully remove mulch and begin watering again. 

Container Roses 

• When temperatures drop below freezing, move containers to an unheated garage or cellar for protection.
• Stop fertilizing entirely through winter.
• Water just enough to keep soil slightly moist—do not let roses dry out completely.
• In spring, once the danger of frost has passed, move containers back outside, water thoroughly and prune.

How to Take Care of Roses Month by Month

Follow this seasonal calendar to keep your roses thriving all year.

January 

• Apply a dormant spray of lime-sulfur to all canes and surrounding soil to eliminate overwintering fungus spores.
• If disease was severe the previous year, apply again in two weeks. 

February–March

• Prune your roses back to 4–6 vigorous canes, maintaining a length of 12–24".
• Apply exterior carpenter's glue to all cut cane ends to prevent borers.
• Clean up old debris (leaves, sticks, weeds) from the rose bed.
• Begin regular watering. 

March–April 

• Begin fertilizing once new growth is 2–3" long.
• Use formulas rich in potassium; add lime if pH requires adjustment; add Epsom salts to encourage new basal cane growth.
• Watch for aphids in warm weather.
• Begin preventative fungicide spraying as new leaves appear.
• Apply fresh mulch to cool soil and control weeds. 

April–October 

• Maintain regular schedule of watering, fertilizing and spraying.
• Apply insecticide as needed when pests appear.
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
• Seal all pruning cuts with carpenter's glue. 

September

• Administer your last fertilizer application of the year.
• Allow plants to harden off naturally to prepare them for winter dormancy. 

October–November

• Continue watering established roses.
• This is a good time to relocate roses, if desired. 

November–December

• Cut rose bushes back to approximately waist height to prevent wind damage.
• Apply winter mulching protection in cold climates. 

Rose Care FAQs

What are common rose-growing mistakes?
Some common mistakes include:
- Overwatering often occurs when the soil does not drain properly.
- Saturated soil prevents oxygen from reaching the roots and leads to rot.
- Poor drainage is a primary cause of stunted growth in young roses.
- Neglecting regular pruning can result in poor air circulation and increased susceptibility to disease.

Do coffee grounds help roses?
Adding coffee grounds to your rose garden can improve soil health and keep pests at bay. However, use them sparingly—excessive amounts can disrupt the soil’s pH balance and stress the roses.

Why do roses struggle in pots?
Roses often struggle in pots due to limited root space, which restricts their growth. Additionally, temperature fluctuations can stress the plants. To grow roses in pots, be sure to select a patio rose, a miniature rose or a tree rose that is best suited for container cultivation, and be sure to choose a large enough container.

When do roses bloom?
Roses bloom throughout the season from late spring to fall. Their lengthy bloom time is a major reason why roses remain a favourite for gardeners everywhere.

How long do rose flowers last?
Roses offer a remarkably long flowering window from late spring to fall, making them a centerpiece of the garden. By providing the right care, you can ensure their colours remain bold and vibrant throughout the entire season.

Enjoy Your Roses

Now you’ve learned everything you need to know to plant and care for roses! Roses will reward you with beauty, fragrance and blooms season after season.

Learn More:
- Types of Roses: Choose the Best Roses for Your Garden
- Complete Rose Pruning Guide: Techniques, Timing & Variety 


Download the Rose Care Guide