| Roses, if they are grown in containers, can be | | | | a small mound of soil and place the rose's roots |
| planted at any time in a mild winter climate. | | | | carefully on it. |
| Planting in the winter however, allows the | | | | The planting hole has to be large enough to include |
| gardener to choose and plant bare-root | | | | comfortably the whole root system, while the soil |
| specimens. The principle benefit being that one | | | | should be well mixed with compost. It is crucial to |
| can see and examine the roots, something that | | | | plant the rose at the correct height, so that the |
| cannot be done with pot plants. All that glitters is | | | | bud union (the swelling that separates the roots |
| not gold, and a splendid looking plant may have a | | | | from the branches) sits just above the ground. If |
| poor root system, which is liable to cause | | | | it is too high, the plant will be unstable in windy |
| disappointment in the future. | | | | conditions, but if sunken in the ground, susceptible |
| Choosing the Right Plant | | | | to rot. |
| What should you be looking for then in a | | | | Replace the soil carefully, while gently firming it |
| bare-root rose? A good specimen has at least | | | | around the plant. In heavy soils, be careful not to |
| three main roots that are more or less evenly | | | | cause compaction by excessive trampling. After |
| spaced. They appear whole and healthy, without | | | | all, the roots need a ready supply of oxygen as |
| wounds or other blemishes. Beware of knotted or | | | | well as moisture and nutrients. After planting it is |
| twisted roots, and especially of soft swellings. | | | | best to make a basin to hold the water that now |
| These could be tumors known as cankers that | | | | has to be supplied. The pressure should be as low |
| will result in a short-lived plant. | | | | as possible so that it causes the soil to sink nicely, |
| However, before choosing the actual specimens in | | | | while avoiding undue soil disturbance. Remember |
| the garden center, you should be clear as to the | | | | that the purpose of the exercise is to maximize |
| variety of rose you want. As a bare root plant | | | | the contact between the soil and the roots. |
| will also be bare of leaves and flowers, there is no | | | | After Care |
| way of knowing what you are buying, unless you | | | | Spread a layer of mulch around the new roses to |
| have done some prior homework. It is best to | | | | a depth of about 10cm (4in) keeping it clear of |
| choose the desired variety by visiting gardens | | | | the plants' stems, as this can also cause rot to |
| during the previous growing season. Make a note | | | | develop. The mulch retains moisture, while |
| of the names of the plant, where possible, and | | | | reducing weeds and regulating the topsoil |
| then order the suitable varieties from a reliable | | | | temperature. |
| garden center. | | | | In the long spells between the winter rains that |
| Planting | | | | are common in Mediterranean and other dry |
| Planting can be carried out at any time in the | | | | climates, feel the soil an inch or two below the |
| winter, providing the plant is dormant. Do not wait | | | | surface. If the soil is still moist, then the mulch has |
| until it has started to sprout its first leaves in the | | | | done its job, and there is no need to water. It is |
| spring. Success depends primarily on adequate | | | | worth remembering that the plants at this stage |
| drainage, and on maximum contact between the | | | | are far more vulnerable to a lack of air in the |
| soil's particles and the roots. With this in mind, build | | | | root zone, than to a shortage of water. |