If you've ever tried to dig a hole in a frozen garden, you'll already know why spring is the best time to plant roses, in most areas of the northern hemisphere. While you can plant roses in the fall, well before the first frost (6 weeks), you will see little growth and blooming until the following spring.
Contrary to popular belief, February and March are excellent times to start planting roses. Many landscapers will wait until April and May to begin planting roses because this is when the plants are already in bloom, and many nurseries will get their stock of roses in around January and February.
When to Plant in the Fall. Don't stick your plants in the ground mere days before the first expected frost. Your roses won't have time to get settled in and become established before the harsh winter weather hits. The right time to plant is about six weeks before the first predicted frost date in the fall.
More roses are planted in spring and this may be slightly safer but there are several advantages in fall planting. Soil preparation is easier in autumn. At that time the earth is more likely to be friable, not frozen or waterlogged as it may be in early spring.
A: In Southern California, it's never too late to plant rosebushes. The popular “Iceberg” roses are super hardy and will rebloom without constant deadheading. They are also available in pink and burgundy flowered varieties. If you want to plant any perennials, it's a good idea to do it sooner rather than later.
Now that we have an idea of why roses are traditionally planted in the spring we of course come to the question, “do they have to be planted only the spring”? Simply put: No. Roses, like any plant (sense a theme here!), can be planted at any time during the season.
The best time to plant knockout roses is in the spring or fall. Make sure there is no threat of frost or they may not last through it.
Avoid pruning roses in the fall. Because pruning spurs more growth, stop deadheading or cutting blooms for bouquets a few weeks before your area's first frost date. As the weather gets colder, your roses will begin to go dormant, moving their energy reserves into their roots to help them survive the winter.
First, dig a small hole where you want to put your new rose bed. Then, fill it with water and see how long it takes to drain. If it takes more than an hour you'll want to improve your drainage by digging deeper planting holes and adding some coarse sand to allow for faster drainage.
While you can plant roses in the fall, well before the first frost (6 weeks), you will see little growth and blooming until the following spring.
Fall is the second best time, toward the end of October or in November, if the soil is still reasonably warm. The plant will do better the longer it has to reestablish itself before winter cold arrives. You can transplant roses in mid-season, say June or July, but it's risky.
Watering your roses is still important during the winter months. Even if your area does not normally get snow or ice, cold wind and air can pull moisture out of the rose's canes – meaning the soil moisture can also be depleted. Check your soil on a warmer day and give it a light watering if it's needed – do not soak.
Give your roses 1 to 2 inches of water each week in a single watering session from early spring through fall. Increase the frequency to every three or four days in hot and dry weather. Porous soils will also benefit from additional deep soakings.
*East, South, or West (not the North side of the house as there is not enough sunlight for these beauties!). * More specifically, Roses need AT LEAST 4-6 hours of sunlight a day, minimum! Think of them as sunbathers- they love to soak up the sun. *Also, try to plant Roses where you can also enjoy them from inside.
WHEN TO PRUNE ROSES. The best time to prune roses is in late winter or early spring, around the time new growth begins. This could be as early as January or as late as May, depending on your climate.
Coffee grinds improve the soil around roses by fertilizing and enriching it. Roses require a neutral to acidic soil, and adding coffee grinds will help move the soil pH from neutral to acidic. Adding organic material to the soil will also improve drainage and aeration of your soil, which will benefit your roses.
Roses should be planted in native soil, but require good drainage. You can mix some compost or other organic matter with the soil if you have poor, sandy soil or heavy clay. Add 2-4 inches of organic material and mix thoroughly into the garden bed at a depth of 12 inches.
After several days of below freezing temperatures, create a mound of soil, compost, shredded leaves or evergreens 8 to 10 inches deep over the base of the plant. Mounding keeps the rose uniformly cold, which reduces the chance of damage caused by cycles of freeze and thaw.
Watch out for particularly prolonged dry spells. Newly planted roses – water every two or three days. Established roses – water once or twice a week as needed to keep the soil moist around your roses.
In the fall, take off about ⅓ of each branch that you cut so your rose bush can grow healthy and tall in the spring. You can cut your rose bush down even more if you'd like to change its shape or height. Make sure to leave at least 6 inches (15 cm) of branches above the ground so that your rose bush can grow back.
The attractive flowers form in double petals paired with glossy, dark green foliage. The 'Knock Out' rose is a shrub that grows up to six feet tall and can spread four feet wide. Enjoy season-long blooms with this compact rose plant.
I personally suggest you to apply Fertilome Rose Food, Espoma Rose Food, or Mills Magic Rose Fertilizer. These are 3 high quality results proven formulas that will provide consistent nutrients as watering and rainfall carries through to the root system.
In-ground: Add 2-3" of mulch, leaves, or pine/fir boughs around the base of the plant. A heavy snow cover will also help insulate and protect the plant through the winter. Also, the winter winds can really dry out the plant so you may want to wrap the plant with burlap.