I have a large well established rose bush that I planted back in the 90s. It was supposed to only be about 4 to 5 ft tall or so, and get large dinner plate sized roses. It is not any such thing. It is the one I nicknamed "rosa walmart" since I have lost the tag, and it is not that bush anyway. It has grown too large for this spot even though I prune it yearly. I have two better spots to choose from, IF it is safe to move it this spring? It has turned out to be a climbing rose, and is a lovely burgundy color, perhaps a tea rose? CAN it be moved SAFELY, and anyone got any tips for doing it? rosa "walmart" ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden )
If you are unhappy with the rose where it is, it NEEDS to be moved. First I would trim it back by 1/2 to 2/3, then dig a huge root ball (at least as large around as the bush before trimming, and even larger if you can manage it). Wet the root ball, dig a bigger hole where you want to put the rose, water the empty hole well (this keeps dry earth from wicking the dampness from the root ball), and settle the root ball into the hole, watering when the backfilling earth is about half-way done, then finish the backfilling and water well again. If the sun is shining, you may want to put some sort of shade over the rose ( old umbrella, or shade cloth or an old sheet supported by stakes) for the first week or two. Mulch it well, and keep it moist for a month, but don't drown it (this is a matter of common sense and feeling the earth around the rose). Your rose will look poorly for a while, and even lose some leaves. Don't worry--roses are a lot tougher than they look, and the transplanted rose should survive!
If you are going to move it, I would try to do it before spring growth starts. March would be a good month if its above freezing. Deoends on your area. Climbers and half climbers are pretty tough. Like MG said cut it back pretty good.
Thanks. I will try to move it in February or March, both are good months for rose planting here, depending on the weather. Though, I doubt that I can dig a 6 or 7 foot hole for it. I just thought the bush would be happier if it could grow with abandon and climb freely instead of into the eaves of my roof.
