Skip to content 
Gardening is a delightful hobby, and planting roses can be particularly rewarding. However, through my own experiences and mishaps, I’ve learned that planting roses is more complex than it seems. There are common mistakes that novice gardeners often make, which can lead to disappointing results. Let me share seven of these mistakes with you and how to avoid them so your roses can thrive beautifully.
Mistake 1: Wrong Choice of Location
When I started gardening, I eagerly planted my roses close to the house, thinking they’d charm the building’s exterior. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that roses thrive in sunlight, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Planting them too close to buildings or fences can block this essential sunlight, stunting their growth and bloom potential.
Choosing the Right Place to Plant Roses
Select a spot with plenty of sunlight all day to find the ideal location for your roses. Make sure it’s an open area free from the shadows cast by buildings, trees, or fences. This straightforward measure can significantly enhance their health and radiance.
Mistake 2: Planting Too Tightly
Another common mistake I could have made was planting my roses too close together. I thought crowding them would create a lush, full garden, but instead, it led to poor air circulation, increasing the risk of fungal diseases and pests.
How to Plant at the Correct Distance
Roses require ample space for proper growth and airflow. Ensure you plant them at intervals of 18 to 36 inches, tailored to the specific variety. This spacing allows air to circulate freely around the plants, reducing disease risk and giving each rose ample room to thrive. Also, consider the characteristics of an adult plant when planting. Consider the mature width of the rose variety you are growing, as replanting an adult rose is tricky.
Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Soil
One of my early gardening challenges was dealing with roses that didn’t flourish. After some research, I realized the problem was the soil. Roses require well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter. My garden soil was too heavy and clayey, retaining too much water and suffocating the roots.
The Right Soil for Roses
For optimal rose growth, use well-draining soil that retains enough moisture. Amend heavy soils with compost or well-rotted manure to improve texture and fertility. Roses prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0).
Get Your Free Lunar Gardener's Calendar 2024!
Join the Lunar Gardening Revolution! Subscribe now to receive our exclusive Free Lunar Gardener’s Calendar for 2024. Harness the power of the moon to optimize your planting, nurturing, and harvesting.
Mistake 4: Incorrect Planting Depth
Many roses sold in nurseries are grafted onto hardy rootstocks. Planting the root collar above the soil level can cause significant problems, such as root desiccation and instability.
Proper Planting Technique
Ensure the graft union (the bulge where the rose variety is grafted onto the rootstock) is about 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. This protects the graft and encourages strong root development. Proper planting depth is crucial for the long-term health of grafted roses.
Mistake 5: Improper Preparation for Planting
In my excitement, I often needed to pay more attention to preparing rose seedlings before planting. Over-pruning or damaging roots can break or kill a young rose plant.
Transform Your Rose
Garden with the Ultimate Planner
- Organized Planning: Comprehensive 12-month and weekly planning features keep your garden tasks in check.
Expert System: Dive into garden planning with a recommended to-do list and feeding schedule curated by Ann Devis. Our planner includes five weeks of daily planning pages per month, complete with notes and shopping lists. This ensures you take every critical task, helping your garden to thrive continuously.
- Track Progress: Document every step of your gardening journey with detailed notes and feeding schedules.
- Visual Appeal: Elegant design and high-quality materials make this planner a joy.
- Creative Freedom: Space for sketches and diagrams helps you design the garden of your dreams.
Preparing Correctly
Inspect and trim the seedlings before planting. For most rose types, prune the shoots to 2–4 buds and cut the roots slightly to healthy tissue. Avoid over-pruning climbing roses and certain other types, which don’t require such drastic cutting. Soak seedlings with open root systems in water for a day before planting to gently rehydrate and straighten the roots.
Mistake 6: Not Understanding the Dimensions of an Adult Plant
Initially, I needed to consider how large my rose plants would become. As a result, some grew too tall, overshadowing other plants in the flower bed and disrupting the overall garden design.
Planning for Adult Plant Size
Always consider the mature size of the rose variety you are planting. Think about both the width and the height of the bush. Tall roses can dominate a flowerbed, so if growing in a mixed border, place taller varieties in the background. This ensures they don’t overshadow shorter plants and maintains a balanced, attractive garden.
Mistake 7: Direct Contact with Fertilizers
Eager to provide the best for my roses, I once filled the planting hole with various fertilizers. This backfired as the roots burned from direct contact with these nutrients, damaging the plants.
Safe Fertilization Practices
Prepare the planting hole well in advance, avoiding direct fertilizer contact with roots. Once the rose is established, you can apply root-feeding fertilizers. This prevents root burn and allows the plant to absorb nutrients effectively.
Mistake 8: Neglecting Care Immediately After Planting
After planting my first roses, I assumed they were OK with just a bit of water. However, the first month after planting is critical, and neglect can lead to poor establishment and growth.
Essential Post-Planting Rose Care
Immediately after planting, water your roses thoroughly and cover the base with loose soil to protect against temperature fluctuations and drying out. Gradually remove the hilling soil as the plant establishes. Shade the young plants if necessary, and maintain consistent soil moisture and light conditions to ensure healthy growth.
