Start of by selecting a planting area that gets good sunlight in the morning but by mid day is in semi-shade. Roses prefer to avoid the hot afternoon sun. If the area is in the full sun make sure it has good air circulation.

Prepare the planting hole in advance and make it much larger than the pot the rose bush is in. Mix in a generous 40-50% planter mix or composted material, some garden soil,  bone meal or super phosphate and about 15% sand should also be mixed in.

Plant the rose as soon as the soil is workable. If the plant is grafted on the root stock, be sure the graft is placed 2-3 inches below the surface. If you are planting roses on their own roots be sure the root area is well covered.

Wait for about two weeks and then apply fertilizer. I suggest about 2/3 cup of 12-16-12, be applied and raked into the top 2 inches of the soil. Other forms of plant food such as 15-30-15 is also very effective. The pH level of the soil should be about 6.2 to 6.5. Levels within this range will normally produce excellent rose blossoms around the middle of June. An inexpensive pH probe tester can be very useful in determining when to add more plant food. The right amount of plant food is what should be applied. More is not better.

Good luck in getting many blossoms.

Lori

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