The difference between Bare Rooted and Potted Roses

Bare root rose

Bare Rooted Roses

Available for shipping: November to March only.

Roses are grown as crops in the field and every year one crop becomes ready for sale in November. During the winter months roses are mostly sold in the traditional ‘bare rooted’ or ‘field-grown’ way.

The term bare root means a plant is supplied without soil around the roots. To facilitate this the rose must be in its winter dormancy when the plant is effectively asleep.

Bare root roses are supplied dormant without foliage or flowers and without soil or pot. Once being dug from our fields they are pruned and the roots are washed free of soil prior to packing and transport. As there is no soil or pot involved, they are cheaper to buy and transport.

Bare rooted roses travel well and remain fresh during transit. However, once they arrive it is very important that the plants are removed from the packaging and the roots soaked in water for 24 hours prior to planting. This refreshes them after travel. The plants will always be packed in a way that keeps their roots moist which is very important and they should be planted within a week of receiving them for best results.

PLEASE NOTE: OUR BARE ROOT SALES END ON 18th MARCH

Potted Rose in Bloom

Established Potted Rose in Bloom

Potted Roses

Available for shipping: All year round.

NB: If you buy a potted rose between November and March, it won’t have had time to develop any foliage or buds and won’t have been in its pot for long enough to develop a substantial root system, so taking it out of the pot to plant it in the garden could mean most of the compost will fall away. This is not a problem, plant it in the ground, together with the surplus compost, and in a few weeks it will grow away strongly. However, you can also leave it in the pot for a couple of months and the roots will begin to fill the pots. Either way, watering is very important as it is essential for the plant’s need to grow its roots and shoots.

Potted roses are supplied in potting mix with foliage and in some cases, blooms, depending on the variety and timing of delivery. They make excellent gifts and are ideal for those not wishing to wait for next winter to add a rose to their garden.

Potted roses can be either kept in the current pots until the following Winter, or planted out into your garden as a normal pot plant. Care must be taken in the re-planting of any potted rose during Summer to ensure the plant does not dry out.

Potted roses are more expensive as the cost includes pot and potting mix as well as their care. Potted roses cannot be bundled together, they take up more room in transit and the weight is heavier, therefore delivery costs are also higher in comparison to bare-rooted roses.

Gift wrapped bare root rose in its winter dormancy.