How to Move a Rose During Winter, by Fraser Valley Rose Farm on YouTube. 4 min 28 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 28 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Choose a mild, frost-free day in midwinter, while the rose is dormant and the ground is soft enough to dig.
Prune the stems back by about a third, removing thin, broken and crossing growth, so the top matches the roots you can save.
Dig a wide circle about 30 cm from the stems, loosen the soil and lift the root ball with as many healthy roots as possible.
Lay the rose on a tarp, shake off loose soil and trim any torn roots with clean, sharp pruners.
Pot it in a large container of loose potting soil, working soil between the roots and firming it gently.
Water the pot until it drains, then store it in a cool, sheltered spot such as an unheated garage or shed.
Keep the soil just damp through winter and plant the rose in its new spot in early spring.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not let the roots dry out or sit in water, as both dry roots and soggy soil can kill a rose over winter.
Wear thick gloves when digging and pruning, and keep the spade edge away from the root ball.
Label the pot with the rose name, since a bare, pruned bush is hard to identify in spring.
Questions
Can I move a rose in winter instead of waiting for spring?
Yes, if the rose is dormant and the ground is not frozen. Winter is not the best time, so treat the plant gently and expect it to settle in slowly.
Will cutting the top back hurt the rose?
No. Trimming the stems by about a third balances the roots you lost and helps the bush recover.
How long can the rose stay in a pot over winter?
Until early spring, as long as the soil stays slightly damp and the pot is sheltered from hard frost.
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.
