How to Plant a Potted Climbing Rose: Step-by-Step
By following these simple steps, you will ensure your potted climbing rose gets off to the very best start, helping it settle beautifully into the ground and establish the strong, healthy framework needed for years of abundant growth and flowers.
Potted climbing roses can be planted at almost any time of year, provided the ground is not frozen, waterlogged or in drought conditions. Avoid planting during periods of extreme heat. Watering well during the first few weeks after planting will help the roots establish quickly.
- Garden fork
- Garden spade
- Large bucket of water
- Watering can
- Soil improver, compost or well-rotted manure
- David Austin’s Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Gardening gloves
Support structure and soft ties for training
Climbing roses thrive in sunlight, so choose a position that receives at least four hours of direct sun each day. In hotter areas, a little afternoon shade can help protect young plants. Allow enough space so roots are not crowded by nearby trees, hedges or plants. Position your rose close enough to its support, such as a wall, fence, arch or trellis, so stems can be trained easily as they grow.
Step 1Prepare the area. Dig the soil thoroughly with a garden fork, removing weeds and large stones. This creates a loose, welcoming space where new roots can spread easily and establish well.
Step 2Dig a generous hole. Prepare a generous hole approximately 45 x 45 cm (18 x 18"), or large enough to comfortably hold the rose’s root mass. Mix one spadeful of organic soil improver or well-rotted manure into the base of the hole, and two more into the soil you have removed.
Step 3Loosen and enrich the soil. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole with a fork, giving roots an easy path downwards so the rose can settle quickly and find moisture.
Step 4Remove the rose from its pot. Water the rose well before planting if needed. Carefully ease it from its pot and gently tease out the roots, guiding them outward into the surrounding soil.
Step 5Add Mycorrhizal Fungi. Holding the rose above the planting hole, sprinkle 30 g of Mycorrhizal Fungi onto the roots, gently patting it onto the outside of the root ball and surrounding compost.
Step 6Position the rose correctly. Place the rose in the centre of the hole with the base of the stems sitting just below soil level, around 5 cm (2"). If planting against a wall or fence, angle the stems slightly toward the support. Backfill gently and press lightly to remove air pockets.
Step 7Water well and support. Water thoroughly after planting. If planting between May and September, water your new rose twice a week, or every other day during particularly warm weather. Guide stems onto their support, tying loosely. Training some stems horizontally will encourage flowers along their full length.
Aftercare
In the first season, water regularly, especially during warm or dry spells, as steady moisture is essential while your rose settles. Feed once in March with a controlled-release rose fertiliser as growth begins, then prune lightly in January or February to maintain balance, health and flowering. With time, your rose will grow stronger and more established, its first new shoots stretching softly around their support - a gentle promise of the beauty to come.
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