Potting Up Hundreds of Bare-Root Roses

April 18, 2025

My gardeners and outdoor grounds crew are rushing to get hundreds of bare-root cuttings into pots before the holiday weekend.

Earlier this week, I received a huge delivery of bare-roots and young transplants from Star Roses and Plants, a company of brands that focuses on breeding and introducing specimens offering longer-lasting, disease resistant blooms. On the day they arrived, my team potted up more than 100 arborvitae and dogwood trees. On day-two - hundreds of bare-root hydrangeas, lilacs, and roses. It's a big undertaking, but the task is getting done and all the plants are in excellent condition.

Enjoy these photos.

: I’m so proud of all the many bare-root plants I am able to nurture here in pots before they are planted in more permanent positions. These bare-roots are Sweet Starlight Hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata. Its bright white blooms age from light to dark pink.

: These are New Age Lavender Lilacs, Syringa vulgaris. They are ultra-compact, mildew-resistant with a sweet and delightful fragrance.

: And these are some of the potted roses, lined up by variety. Bare-root cuttings are difficult to identify when there are no leaves or flowers, so it is important to keep them separated by cultivar and always properly marked.

: The main part of this delivery was the roses. All the specimens are delivered in sturdy, well-packaged boxes. Healthy bare-roots get off to a more vigorous start because their abundant, fibrous roots have already had a chance to develop unrestricted.

: The bare-root roses are placed in trug buckets filled with water right away. When working with bare-roots it’s important to soak them for several hours or even overnight. Never let the roots dry out. One can already see the buds. These are in excellent condition – healthy, plump roots with no sign of mold or damage, and healthy canes with plump, reddish buds. Avoid very thin or dried-out plants and root systems.

: Bare-roots often come in bundles. Depending on the nursery, they may come in groups of 10, 15, 25, or more. Phurba removes the twine from this bundle of 25.

: Roses have two kinds of fibrous roots – thick roots to help stabilize the plant and keep it upright and thin feeder roots that absorb all the nutrients from the soil.

: And do you know… roses are often armed with sharp prickles – they aren’t thorns at all. Unlike a thorn, a prickle can be easily broken off the plant because it is really a feature of the outer layers rather than part of the wood, like a thorn.

: For potting, we use a nutrient-filled composted manure and top soil mix I make right here at the farm. A generous sprinkling of Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Plant Food is added and mixed in thoroughly.

: Each bare-root rose is matched to an appropriately sized pot. The root section should fit into the pot without bing crowded at the bottom.

: Phurba inspects the roots of each plant before it is potted up. This pot is already filled with a thin layer of soil.

: Phurba positions the root so that the bud union is below the soil when filled.

: Holding the plant with one hand, Phurba backfills just to under the pot’s lip.

: Lastly, he gently tamps the soil down around the plant, so there is good contact with the roots.

: Nearby, Alex pots up another rose. The crew has devised an efficient production line process for potting massive amounts of bare-roots.

: The rose cultivars include: Rosa ‘KORnagelio’ Arborose Kiss Me Kate, Rosa ‘KORtangenu’ Arborose Tangerine Skies, Rosa ‘Meidelweis’ Bolero, Rosa ‘Meibacus’ Liv Taylor, Rosa ‘Meitelov’ Michelangelo, Rosa ‘Meikaquinz’ Moonlight Romantica, Rosa ‘KORmarzau’ Parfuma Bliss, Rosa ‘KORgeowim’ Parfuma Earth Angel, Rosa ‘Meipapey’ Romantica Ball Gown, Rosa ‘KORcarmis’ Raspberry Cupcake Rose, Rosa ‘KORvioros’ Sunbelt Savannah, Rosa ‘Meiroguste’ Top Cream, Rosa ‘Meinostair’ Sweet Mademoiselle, Rosa, ‘Meiclusif’ Dee-Lish Rose, Rosa ‘KORpauvio’ Eleganza Beverly, Rosa ‘KORsteflali’ Eleganza Wedding Bells, Rosa ‘Meitroni’ Francis Meilland Rose, and Rosa ‘Meidysouk’ Princesse Charlene de Monaco.

: As each variety is done, the roses are loaded onto a wheelbarrow and brought to their designated spot in the “nursery.”

: Matthew arranges them carefully with ample walking space in between varieties.

: Here’s my team of bare-root planters – Alex, Phurba, and Pasang. They’re doing an excellent, fast, and efficient job. They’ve gotten a lot done, but there’s still more to go…

: While here, these specimens will be watered and fed until they are more developed. I am already thinking about where these plants and trees will go. Follow along and see where…