Are Bare Root Roses Worth Buying & Planting?

If you’ve been to a big box store lately, chances are you’ve seen what many call “bare root” roses on display. These are bare-root roses, wrapped in plastic or cardboard, and packaged with wood shavings rather than soil.

Their prices are often extremely low compared to potted roses, leading us to wonder, is this a great deal, or too good to be true? In truth, these types of roses are a mixed bag.

Before you buy a bare root rose, take a look at these pros and cons so you know what you’re getting into. We’ll compare them with potted roses so you can make the best decision for you and your garden.

About Bare Root Roses

Bare-root roses are dormant rosebushes between 1-3 years old, that have been dug up and trimmed to facilitate compact storage and shipping.

They are just roots and bare canes, packaged with wood shavings to hold in moisture. Often, the canes will be covered in a wax coating to seal against desiccation and travel damage. They are firmly wrapped in plastic or cardboard, with naked canes sticking out.

You will likely spot them popping up in big box stores in late winter to early spring. They traditionally start to appear before frost-tender potted roses appear.

Why You Should Plant Them

There are a few different reasons why you might bring these roses home to your garden. Let’s take a deeper look at the pros of bare root roses and what to expect.

Varieties

Many rose lovers have an elusive variety they’ve been seeking for a while. If you’re not near a specialty nursery or garden center, you may have a limited selection to choose from. You can always order from a reputable online vendor. But the costs add up.

These are often varieties most popular in the 50s through 80s. They might be the high teas that your grandmother grew (these can be special, too!). However, sometimes you stumble upon the treasure of an Old Garden Rose (cultivated prior to 1867), or a variety that you’ve had on your list for years.

Because they are so cheap to ship and store, you may find varieties you otherwise may not see. I’m not going to pass up a ‘Rose de Rescht’ if I see one, no matter how it’s packaged!

Cost

Bare root roses will vary in cost, with some of the higher end potted David Austin roses fetching top dollar at your local favorite nursery. The difference in cost can be vast.

Even if some don’t survive, at this price, it might be worth a try. Even if 50% don’t make it, you’ve still grown more for less cost than one potted rose.

Plant Maturity

They are usually dug up from the field between the ages of 1-3 years old. Some potted roses are this mature, but many of them are just babies.

Buying a more mature plant with a more developed root system can result in less transplant shock in adjusting to your garden, and a bigger plant faster.

Eco-friendly

It is more environmentally friendly to forgo the big plastic pots filled with soil.

Compact packaging allows more roses to be shipped simultaneously, requiring fewer trucks, less fuel, and less waste.

Timing

Because they are dormant, they can be planted earlier than potted roses with fresh foliage. Dormant plants are not frost-sensitive and can be planted as early as the soil can be worked, or up to 6 weeks before your last frost.

If you just can’t wait to get started on the garden, planting roses in late winter is a tempting option! Make sure any roses you purchase are totally dormant and have no fresh growth, unless the weather is warm enough in your area to prevent die-back of tender new leaves.

Why You Should Avoid Planting Them

There are a few reasons why gardeners may want to avoid bare root roses in their garden. Between long-term costs and the fact many are completely mislabeled, there are a few reasons to steer clear. Let’s take a deeper look at why you may avoid them this season.

Mislabeling

This is perhaps the biggest frustration gardeners have with bare root roses. They are not in bloom at the time of purchase, so you can’t verify what you’re getting. Based on experience, they are frequently mislabeled.

It’s extremely frustrating to go through all the fuss of soaking your bare-root rose, digging a hole (a monumental task in my basalt rock garden), and pampering it with nutrients, only to see it bloom 10-12 weeks later in a color I can’t stand. Sure, I can gift it, but what a hassle!

Mislabeling is such a problem that purchasers are encouraged to grow their roses in pots before placing them directly in the garden. This way, you can be sure of what you bought.

If you don’t mind a surprise, this might not bother you. If you were overjoyed to find a long-wished-for variety, it’s a major con.

Low Quality

It has to be said, these roses are not usually up to the standard of those grown by reputable nurseries. The root system is trimmed to fit the packaging. They have sometimes been damaged by transport, or dried out due to long, inadequate storage.

Some of those offered are very low-quality. The grading system of 1, 1.5, or 2 makes it easier and is displayed on the packaging.

Grade 1 roses are the best on offer, with a minimum of 3 strong, healthy canes, and purportedly, an established, healthy root system. Grades 1.5 and 2 have fewer, or smaller, canes and roots. Always avoid grade 2 unless you just can’t pass up the variety.

The root systems are sometimes dried out, shriveled, or barely there, which you won’t know until you unwrap just before planting.

In fact, many expert growers consider them “rescues” due to their poor health and chances of thriving.

Long-term Cost

I don’t blame anyone for being unable to pass up cheap rose bush. But have you considered the long-term cost of buying a low-quality plant?

Chances are, you’ve spent money on quality soil (if potting), compost, and fertilizers to help your roses grow. You’ve also sunk time watering, digging, and possibly pruning. If the rose doesn’t thrive, you might spend more money on “cures” attempting to save it.

Suddenly your three-dollar rose is a 50-dollar rose, and it’s still not blooming.

Viruses

An unfortunate reality of big box plants is that they are often a haven for viruses, pests, and bacterial issues. You can mitigate this somewhat by examining the plant carefully prior to purchase, but some problems, like gall, might not be apparent until you unwrap the rose.

Sadly, mosaic virus is a common problem in big box stores, where they sometimes don’t have the manpower or expertise to identify or notice its spread. This is not something you want to bring home to your garden.

Disposable Mentality

Worst of all, to my mind, is the fact that these roses have contributed to the idea that they are disposable annual plants. Roses are long-lived perennial shrubs. They can last for decades if healthy and given good care.

Because so many struggle to thrive, they get tossed, earning roses the reputation of being short-lived or difficult to grow. It’s a colossal waste that has a negative impact on the rose industry as a whole.