Roses
Roses: when to plant bare-root and container roses, how to plant them and how to avoid replant disease.
Roses at a glance
- Position
- Sun, at least four hours a day; some tolerate light shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist but well-drained; should not dry out completely
- Spacing
- 60 cm apart in the row, about 60 cm around each plant (RHS)
- Watering
- Established border roses: up to once a week in dry spells, 5–10 litres each
When to sow and plant
Growing and care
Diseases and pests
Roses through the year
Every job for growing roses on one chart. Click a row to open the full guide.
Common questions
What can I spray on roses for black spot?
The RHS recommends that you don't use fungicides. If you do use a chemical control, use it only as a last resort, in a minimal, targeted way, choose a product legally available to UK home gardeners and follow the label. Clearing fallen leaves, mulching and cutting out stem lesions come first. More
How often should I water roses?
Established border roses need extra water only in hot, dry spells or on dry, sandy soil. Then the RHS waters up to once a week with 5–10 litres per plant. New roses need regular watering until established, and roses in pots may need water daily in hot weather. More
When is the best time to plant bare-root roses?
In late autumn at leaf fall, or from late winter to early spring before growth resumes, the RHS says. They are on sale from about November to March. Avoid midwinter, when the ground is frozen. More
In this section we use these sources: Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Each page lists its own sources at the bottom.