How to Move a Rose Bush. How to transplant a rose. General Rose Care., by Mark's House and Garden UK on YouTube. 13 min 53 s.
- Video length
- 13 min 53 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Water the rose deeply the day before you move it. Plan the job for late winter or early spring while the plant is dormant and the soil is not frozen.
Put on thick gloves and cut back the stems by about one third with clean secateurs. Remove dead, damaged or crossing stems and make each cut just above an outward-facing bud.
Tie the remaining stems together loosely with twine. This keeps thorny branches out of your way and protects buds while you dig around the root ball.
Dig a circle 30 to 45 cm out from the base, cutting straight down with a spade. Work around the plant to free a root ball about 40 cm deep.
Lift the root ball by sliding a fork underneath and levering gently. Keep as much soil around the roots as possible and never pull the bush by its stem.
Dig the new hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Fork the bottom, mix in a shovel of garden compost and water the hole well.
Set the rose in the hole at the same soil level as before. Backfill in layers, firm each layer with your heel and water again to settle the soil.
Mulch around the base, leaving a gap around the stems. Water every few days for the first month and tie the bush to a stake if it is tall or windy.
Tips and common mistakes
Move roses in late winter or early spring, not when they are in full leaf or flower.
Water deeply rather than little and often; dry roots after transplanting are a common cause of failure.
Do not add strong fertiliser straight after planting; let the roots settle for a few weeks.
Clean your spade and secateurs before and after the job to avoid spreading soil or disease.
Questions
When is the best time to move a rose bush?
Late winter or early spring while the rose is dormant is safest. Avoid moving it in hot weather or when it is flowering.
How much root ball does a rose need?
Aim for a root ball about 40 cm deep and 30 to 45 cm wide around the base. Keep as much soil attached as you can.
Will the rose survive being moved?
Yes, if you water it regularly and keep the roots moist. Some wilting in the first week is normal, but new growth should follow.
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.
