How to care for bare root roses when they arrive

Bare root roses are supplied dormant without foliage or flowers. Bare root roses travel well and remain fresh during transit, however there are some important tips to know to refresh them after travel and get them to establish well in your garden.

When your bare root roses arrive, unwrap them and soak the roots in a bucket of water (like you would a bunch of cut flowers) for at least 24 hours prior to planting. You can also add a little seaweed solution to the bucket.

Leave to soak until you are ready to plant as the exposed roots will dry out quickly and become damaged if exposed to the air for long periods of time — even when dormant.

Prepare the soil for planting prior to arrival of your bare root roses, to give them the best possible start.

Find a suitable position and enrich the soil with compost and other organic additives like Rockdust and MycoGold.

Dig an area slightly larger and deeper than required to open the soil and improve root penetration.