Bareroot Roses
A bareroot rose arrives dormant, with no soil around its roots at all — an unusual sight for anyone used to buying plants in containers, but a perfectly normal and often more economical way to start a rose.
Why Growers Sell Roses This Way
Bareroot roses are dug up and shipped while fully dormant, typically in late winter or early spring, which is lighter and cheaper to ship than a container full of soil. Because there's no soil masking the roots, buyers can also inspect root health directly before planting.
Bareroot roses need to go into the ground promptly after arrival, unlike container roses which can wait weeks if needed.
Soak a bareroot rose's roots in water for several hours to overnight before planting — this rehydrates roots that may have dried out slightly during shipping.
Planting Success
Spread the roots out naturally in a wide planting hole, rather than cramming them into a tight space, and water thoroughly right after planting to settle soil around the roots. Bareroot roses often establish just as well as container-grown ones once properly planted, despite their less polished initial appearance.
