A GUIDE TO
PLANTING A ROSE IN A CONTAINER Make the most out of a bright afternoon by sprucing up a hidden corner of the garden. Start by searching out a longlost pot, or barrel - in fact any unused container will be glad of the job - then with your favourite rose to hand, you’re all set to create something extra special. So, let’s get planting! If you’ve decided on a rose in bare root form, a little bit of prep work before you plant will go a long way. Soak her roots in a bucket of water for at least two hours; overnight is even better if you can wait that long. For a potted rose, a simple sprinkling with a watering can just before you plant will do the trick. Your pot or container will need to have drainage holes as well as some packing to stop the soil from compacting at the bottom. Broken pieces of terracotta or polystyrene work well and will help to keep your rose healthy, ensuring that water can drain away easily. Once prepared, you can start to fill your chosen container. Our Head Gardener, based in Shropshire, suggests using a 50/50 mix of potting compost and multipurpose compost.
Fill up to about halfway, lightly pressing down on the compost as you fill to reduce the risk of air pockets. Before you get your rose settled, sprinkle David Austin Mycorrhizal Fungi over her roots to stimulate root growth and get her off to a fine start. Now you are ready to position your rose centrally in the pot, making sure the ‘union’ where the stems and roots meet - is a couple of inches below the rim of your container. At this point you may want to wear gloves to hold your rose in position - these plants may be beautiful but can also be deceptively thorny. Now, gently fill the remainder of your container with the rest of the compost mixture.
When the soil level is just below the rim, firm in lightly with your hands to secure your rose into her new home. Finally, give her a good watering so that the moisture penetrates the soil through to the roots. Roses are more than happy in pots that give them space to grow, though they will need more frequent watering than roses in the ground. Like other plants, they will flourish from any care and attention they receive. Now that the hard work is done, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy watching your newly potted rose settle into its surroundings and begin to bloom come summertime.
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