How to Transplant Roses the Right Way to Minimize Shock and Encourage Growth

Whether you’re moving homes, renovating the backyard, or are simply unhappy with a recent placement, there may come a time when you need to transplant a rose bush or two. However, this process can be stressful for your roses and may result in plant death if it’s not done correctly. Ahead, our experts explain how to prepare your roses for transplanting and offer step-by-step guidance to help them settle happily into their new home.

When to Transplant Roses

The best time to transplant a rose bush is during its dormant season, says Rebecca Koraytem, sales executive with David Austin Roses and member of the National Garden Bureau. While this can vary depending on where you live and the type of rose bush you’re growing, early spring or late winter is typically ideal. If you miss this window, Koraytem recommends transplanting in the fall as the next best option. “The reason being that the rose is headed into winter when there is no need to produce flowers and foliage and put all energy into root growth,” she says.

How to Prepare Roses for Transplanting

The way you prepare your roses for transplanting depends on the plant's size and age.

• Freshly planted roses: For a rose that you've planted this season, Koraytem suggests watering deeply several hours before transplanting and tipping back any new growth that has flushed and not hardened off.
• Young, established roses: For a rose bush that is 2 to 3 years old, water well several days before transplanting to ensure it’s hydrated. “It is also a good idea to cut the rose back by half to make the size manageable and reduce transplant shock and wilting if it has already leafed out,” she says.
• Mature roses: For a rose that is three (or more) years old, water well several days before transplanting, then cut back the plant by at least half, possibly two-thirds. “If the rose is not dormant, I would suggest root-pruning the drip line of the rose at least one month prior to moving to encourage new roots to concentrate inwards,” says Koraytem.

How to Transplant Roses

After adequate prep to reduce shock, follow Koraytem’s step-by-step process for transplanting a rose bush.

1. Confirm your new location: Select a location that receives at least six hours of full sun with some afternoon shade and has well-draining soil.
2. Ready your soil: Enrich the soil with compost and other amendments, such as peat moss to improve the water-holding capacity of sandy soil or perlite to improve drainage in heavy clay. If planting several roses in this area, prepare the entire area, not just the hole.
3. Remove your plant: Dig the rose out of its current hole. Avoid disturbing the rootball as much as possible. If newly planted, you may transport the rose bush on a shovel or by carrying it. If large or old, gently slide a tarp under the rootball and carefully tip the rose up on its side with a shovel, then drag it to the new location.
4. Create a new hole: Dig the new hole slightly deeper than the rootball and twice as wide. If your soil amendment did not include mycorrhizal fungi, work some into the soil before planting.
5. Transplant: Carefully position the rose and fill the hole with soil, firming as you go. Water slowly and deeply to ensure adequate moisture. Check the rose regularly to ensure the soil is damp to the touch but not soggy. Resume your regular feed schedule depending on the time of year.

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How to Reduce Shock and Promote Adaptation

After transplanting, water the rose deeply and check frequently for watering needs over the next few weeks as it begins to establish, says Kristen Smith, rose evaluation manager with Star® Roses and Plants. “Mulching around the rose will help retain soil moisture and help keep the weeds down.”

It is not unusual for a plant to drop leaves or wilt if it was transplanted during the growing season. “The work you do on the front end—like reducing size by at least half and taking care to dig out the rose—is your best bet to ensure a healthy new start,” explains Koraytem. “The most important concern is to encourage new root growth—not new shoot growth.”

Water deep and slow and for a long time. “Depending on your soil profile, this could be 30 or more minutes,” Koraytem says. “It is also important to keep the shoots hydrated. This can be as simple as spraying with a water wand to make sure branches don't dry out.”

Deadheading once the rose starts to bloom helps focus energy into vegetative and floral growth. “A regular fertilizer program is important to keep up with growth,” says Jim Salyards, associate director of horticultural initiatives at Filoli. “Roses love organic soil, so fertilizers that benefit the root biome make a big difference. Many rosarians swear by a compost tea program for the health of their roses.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Newly transplanted roses are vulnerable to shock. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure they thrive in their new home.

• Transplanting when the leaves are wilted: Avoid transplanting if the rose’s leaves are wilted or the plant is showing any other signs of stress, says Smith, as transplanting can worsen its condition.
• Not watering before pruning: If you decide that the rose needs to be cut back to a smaller size to make the move easier, water the rose before trimming, Smith advises. It will help to reduce shock.
• Not prioritizing soil moisture: Keep the soil moist by watering deeply and adding a layer of mulch around your transplanted rose bush. It will take the next couple of months for new roots to form and settle in, Koraytem says.
• Being afraid to prune after transplanting: Once new shoots form, you can lightly prune and shape your transplanted rose bush. “Roses respond well to pruning,” Koraytem says. “It stimulates growth hormones that send signals to get busy to both roots and shoots.”