The answer is: yes! Roses are particularly well suited to fall planting. They tend to benefit immensely, and you can pay a quarter of the price for plants that you might be charged during the 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.
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.
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.
Ideal Temperatures for Planting Roses
Consult your local agricultural extension service or garden club for information on the proper date. Roses cannot withstand temperatures below 32 degrees F, so keep plants awaiting transplanting in a warm, protected area where they will not be damaged.
Winter protection is often necessary for most types of garden roses. The extent of protection depends on the type of rose and its location in the garden. Choose only types hardy enough to survive the coldest average winter temperatures in your growing zone.
Most roses can withstand a quick cold snap of temperatures down to 10 degrees F, but it is best to protect them if you expect an extended period of time when temperatures dip under 20 degrees F. The amount of protection your roses need depends on the climate in which you live.
The right time to plant is about six weeks before the first predicted frost date in the fall. This gives them time to establish roots so they have the best chance of surviving the winter and emerging in spring. Don't plant too early, though.
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.
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.
To maintain a size of 3–4' w x 3–4' h, Knock Out® Roses should be cut back once a year to 12” high.
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.
They will do exceptionally well when planted in south and east-facing areas where they will receive the most sunlight. They will tolerate part shade well; however, flowering may be reduced. Rosa 'Radcor' and Rosa 'Radrazz' are better suited for part-shade locations.
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.
Roses thrive on direct sunlight. For best results, a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight is recommended. However, even when planted against a north wall (meaning no direct sunlight) roses can still perform well.
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.
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.
Roses, in general, can survive winters in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 and above (or in temperatures as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit). As such, they can survive very cold climates, but you should still prepare to winterize them to ensure they have all they need to thrive throughout the winter months.
You may also be able to plant roses in late fall about 6 weeks before the first frost in your region. The question of when to plant rose bushes can have an entirely different answer in states where there is virtually no possibility of the temperature dipping below -10 degrees Fahrenheit during winter.
Plants like chrysanthemums, nasturtiums and asters are wonderful choices for seasonal planting arrangements. While perennials that will survive the winter are great choices, autumn is also a great time to explore new ideas will short-season annuals too.
The most common way to provide winter protection is to pile or "hill-up" a loose, well-drained soil/compost mix around and over the plant to a depth of about 10-12 inches. A variety of hilling materials can be used, but the key is to be sure that the material is well drained.
Every two to three years, container-grown roses need to be repotted to keep the plants healthy and flowering well. If the plant has outgrown its pot, find a new container that is one to two sizes larger than the original pot. Be sure to pick a pot that has drainage holes!