How to lift and move a rosebush in your garden #gardenerben, by Ben Hamilton Anderson,Rose Expert / Plant Reviewer on YouTube. 11 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Plan the move for the dormant season, from the end of October to the end of February. The plant copes far better with root loss while it is not actively growing.
Put on thick gloves and cut away excess growth with secateurs so you can get close to the base of the rose.
Push the spade straight down in a continuous circle about 12 inches (30 cm) from the base of the plant. Cut all the way around in one unbroken loop.
Lever the plant up at four points roughly 90 degrees apart, working around the circle. You will hear roots snapping underground. Be bold and commit to the process.
Pull the rose free and lift it into a wheelbarrow or a large bucket so the roots stay supported during the move.
Check how much root you kept and balance the top growth to it. If you lost a lot of root, cut the plant back hard. This is not the time to be sentimental.
Dig the new hole wide enough to spread the roots out and no deeper than the rose sat before. Plant it at the same depth, with the graft union at soil level.
Backfill around the roots in layers, firming the soil gently with your heel as you go so there are no air pockets.
Water the rose in thoroughly, then mulch around the base, keeping the mulch clear of the stems. Keep watering through the first season.
Tips and common mistakes
Move the rose on a cool, damp day and keep the bare roots covered with a damp cloth while the new hole is finished.
Do not add fertiliser to the planting hole; it burns new roots. Wait until the plant is growing away in spring.
Label the rose before you lift it so you know which variety went where.
Cut back more top growth than feels comfortable. Balanced top and root growth is what gets the plant established.
Questions
When is the best time to move a rose bush?
While it is dormant, from the end of October through to the end of February. Moving it in summer means the plant loses roots it cannot replace quickly.
Will the rose survive if I hear roots snapping?
Usually yes, as long as you cut the top growth back hard to match the roots you have left. Replant it straight away and water it well.
Can I move a large, old rose bush?
It is harder because you will lose more root. Cut it back hard, lift as much of the root ball as you can, and expect it to take a season to recover.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
