How to Plant a Rose Flower

Bareroot Roses

• 1). Trim damaged or diseased roots and then soak them in warm water at least four hours before planting.
  
  
• 2). Dig a hole in a sunny area that is 1 1/5 feet deep and 1 1/5 feet wide.
  
  
• 3). Create a cone-shaped mound of dirt in the center of the hole. Create a mound tall enough that the plant's bud union between the roots and the canes.
  
  
• 4). Sprinkle bone meal into the hole.
  
  
• 5). Set the rose on the mound and fan out the roots. Trim the roots if necessary to make them fit into the hole without bending.
  
  
• 6). Mix compost with the soil that you removed while digging and fill the hole halfway with the soil mixture.
  
  
• 7). Soak the rose bush thoroughly, allowing the water to pool in the soil and wait for the water to drain. This allows the soil to settle properly around the roots.
  
  
• 8). Fill the remaining hole with soil until the soil is just under the bud union and water again. The bud union will fall as the soil settles.
  
  
• 9). Add additional soil if needed to level the soil with the surrounding area and water again. The bud union should rest 1 to 2 inches below the soil level.
  
  
• 10
  
  Cut two small holes in the bottom of a paper bag and place the bag over the newly planted rose. Fold the open ends of the bag outward and cover the ends with soil to hold the bag in place. Leave the bag over the bush for two weeks to sweat the rose.
  
  

Container Roses

• 1). Dig a hole to the same depth and a few inches wider than the container.
  
  
• 2). Soften the bottom of the hole with the shovel. Insert the shovel into the ground and twist it several times to loosen the soil.
  
  
• 3). Add bone meal to the soil in the hole.
  
  
• 4). Remove the rose from the container and place the bush in the hole.
  
  
• 5). Backfill the hole with soil and water thoroughly.