How to Relocate Rose Bushes

The site seemed like a perfect spot just a couple of years ago when you first planted your new rose bush. Now the surrounding trees have grown larger, shading the once sunny location and hindering the rose's development. The time has come to find a new home for the rose bush in your garden.

1. The most desirable time to transplant roses is at the end of winter or beginning of spring when they are dormant. Before removing the rose bush, prepare a hole in the new location to minimize root exposure and loss of moisture. In order to handle the mature root ball of the transplant, the diameter of the new hole should be one foot from the center. Enrich the soil with compost as needed and add a cup of bone meal. Bone meal is an organic fertilizer, high in phosphorus and extremely beneficial to new plantings.


2. Heavily water the bush the day before it is to be moved. Depending upon the size of the transplant, dig a circle from 12 to i8 inches around its perimeter, capturing as much as the root ball as possible. Prune the bush lightly if needed, for ease in working with it. Gently place the root ball into the hole on top of the bone meal. Add a liquid root stimulator and fill the hole. Press down on the surface with your foot to remove any air pockets in the soil.


3. Roses require a good supply of water even when they are not disturbed. Transplanting increases that need significantly. Water the rose bush heavily for three weeks.