“The best time to plant roses is in early spring,” some would say. Others would disagree and quip, “Actually, roses are best planted in early winter when they’re dormant!” So, which is it really?
The answer lies in between, or in both! We should always consider each rose as an individual and there is no specific time to plant all kinds of rose. The sturdiest roses for example can be planted anytime and will still likely grow. Some cultivars however have to be planted cautiously even in its dormant phase.
What needs to be considered in planting roses therefore is its capacity to sustain planting shock and outgrow it. In any case, almost all roses are dormant in winter. The only ones that keep growing are those in the tropics. For most cultivars, this is the best time for planting or replanting. As long as the ground doesn’t freeze, roses can adapt the easiest during this season. If the ground freezes, however, the plant will suffer greatly.
Plants grow the slowest during cold seasons and for the rose, growth almost grinds to a halt. This is an opportunity for the rosarian to plant the rose without it “noticing” much. By the time spring comes and the rose starts to grow again, its roots will have settled in the ground giving the plant minimal stress. The only thing the rosarian should worry about is to sustain the plant throughout the winter and ensure the acceleration of root growth to make up for foliage and bloom.
As you may know, unlike other liquids, water expands when it freezes. Water freezing in the roots and the stems of the rose will therefore rupture the cells they are in and around them as they freeze. This is what rosarians try to avoid during winter. Especially for newly planted roses whose cells are not as fit as the already growing ones winter is indeed a big bummer.
If you live in warmer states and have mild to sometimes even warm winters, your rose will still likely be growing throughout winter, albeit, slowly. In winters, therefore, you can still have the rose acclimated to the new soil.
Considering the above factors, the best time for rose planting therefore will depend upon your climate. If you have winters where there is the danger of frost, you should opt to plant your rose (or any other plant for that matter) in the late winter when the danger of frosting is gone. As follows, the colder your winter, the later you should plant. You may even plant in early spring when some growth in other plants has broken.
If your winters are just mild and the ground doesn’t freeze, planting in late fall or early winter will be great. This gives the plant plenty of time to adjust to the new ground. As long as you have taken winter planting precautions, your rose will grow great.
The breed of the rose will also be a big part in your decision to plant it. The general rule is the harder the wood, the earlier you should plant and the hardier the cultivar, the higher the chances of growth in any given time.
Peter Dranitsin is a rose gardening expert. For more information on when to plant roses, visit http://www.rosesguides.com.
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