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How to plant a bare root rose in a pot or container

Bare root roses are excellent plants for growing in pots. English Roses, with their shrubby, bushy habit are ideal for growing in large pots and containers. Unlike many other potted plants, English Roses will flower in fragrant flushes throughout the summer and into autumn.

How to

choose your pot

We recommend following these guidelines:
Use a pot with a minimum internal dimension of 45 x 45cm (roughly 60 litres) to allow for an adequate depth of rich soil.
Use gravel, broken crocs or re-use blocks of polystyrene at the bottom of your pot to aid drainage.
Ensure the pot you choose has adequate drainage holes.

David Austin Bare Root Roses held up
David Austin Bare Root Roses held up

When to plant

your bare root roses

Bare root roses can be planted between October and April. The only time we recommend that you don't plant is when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions.

you will need

  • Gardening Gloves

  • Compost Scoop

  • Broken crocs, gravel or re-using blocks of polystyrene (for drainage)

  • Large Pot

  • A mix of John Innes No3 compost & good quality multi-purpose compost

    • How To Plant a Bare Root Rose in a Pot

    A step by step guide

    Step 1: Prepare your pot for planting

    Start by placing broken crocs, gravel or reusing blocks of polystyrene at the bottom of your pot; this will help the rose to drain adequately throughout the season. Next, begin to fill your pot with a mix of John Innes No. 3 Potting Compost and multi-purpose compost. As you fill your pot it’s important to use your hand to lightly press the compost so that you don’t get any air pockets. Carry on filling your pot until it is approximately halfway full.

    Step 2: Position your rose in your pot

    At this point it is important to check that your rose will fit nicely into the pot and at the right height. Place your bare root rose into your pot on top of the soil. Ideally, we’d like to see the union sitting a couple of inches below the rim of your pot. Then sprinkle mycorrhizal fungi over the roots whilst holding it over your pot so that the excess falls into the hole. 

    Step 3: Fill-in around your rose with compost

    Place your rose into the centre of the pot and continue to fill with your compost mix, firming the soil as you go. 

    Step 4: Water your rose

    Finally, water your newly planted bare root well, allowing moisture to penetrate the soil and roots.

    WATERING: Roses in pots require more frequent watering than roses planted in the ground.

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