Planting Advice
Before you start, with the plant still in its pot water well or dunk in a bucket of water until air bubbles stop rising. Dig a hole twice the height and width of the pot.
Mix into the bottom of the hole organic matter, such as well rotted manure or planting compost, along with rose food.
Add a measure of Mycorrhizal Fungi – following manufacturers guidelines. Mix planting compost and a measure of rose food into the soil removed from the planting hole.
Remove the rose from its pot.
Place the rose in the hole, the union – where the stems meet the roots should be an inch below ground level. Replace the soil, firming as you go.
Water in well. For climbers and ramblers ensure the planting hole is 60 cm away from the base of the wall or support.
Once in the planting hole lean the rose towards the support.
For planting in a pot, choose one with a diameter of at least 35cm, with drainage holes.
Add a layer of shingle or crocks to the bottom of the pot for further drainage.
Follow the instructions above using a loam-based compost such as John Innes No3.
Leave at least 3cm between the soil level and the top of the pot to make watering easier.
Care Advice
Keep well-watered until established. Keep roses in patio pots well-watered, especially through the summer.
Feed with a rose fertiliser in spring and summer.
Remove faded flowers to encourage repeat flowering.
Prune in March or before new growth starts. Reduce all growth by a third to a half.
Remove any dead, diseased, spindly or badly crossing stems, cutting back to the base of the plant.
