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Help & Advice wanted - Moving (very) mature rose bushes!

audforrestaudforrest Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Help & Advice wanted!

When my parents moved into their house just after they were married, my father planted a number of "Dickson's Flame" rose bushes in the front garden. 55 years later, the roses are still going strong but sadly, both my parents have since died (my father, 18 months ago & my mother, last weekend!) and the house is to be sold. I would desperately like to move the roses to my home. 

Can anyone advise me on the best way to do this, to minimise shock to the roses and to ensure the best chance of them surviving in their new home? I do love the roses but this particular variety is no longer commercially available! 

Thank you!

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    This will be tough. If you are strong or can get help, you could dig around the rose with around 1-2 feet wide and at least 2 feet deep down. The more you can dig around the better it would be. Damaging some roots will not harm the rose. Prep work at the final plant space is important. Loosen the soil and mix in compost around the base and back-fill with the same around the sides. The other option is to take cuttings from the rose if this is too much work. At this time of year, it should be fine to take cuttings and place into pots. 
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    We had to move a very ancient rose from next door where building and bulldozing was in progress in their garden,to the bottom of our garden as a favour to the neighbours who wanted it saved for sentimental reasons. 
    It was all done very hurriedly,by the neighbour and my husband,who just dug a big hole and plonked it in! Because I wasn't there it didn't get a bit of bonemeal or anything.
    However much to my surprise it's now got lots of new growth.
    It's not where I wanted it,so it will have to be moved again unfortunately!!
    But they seem to be quite tough,so good luck with your parents rose,I'm sure it will be fine if you follow that advice by @Borderline.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    You could take some hardwood cuttings as well, as an insurance in case the parent plants don't survive.  @nultyphilip224's method is to wait until after the last frost, then cut a healthy piece of stem 6" or so in length just below a leaf bud, dip the end in rooting hormone and insert in a pot of gritty soil.  (See page 51 of Philip's "Cottage Garden by Philip" thread on this forum for more details.)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I am so sorry for your loss Audforrest. I had to do the same when my parents house was being sold. I had planted a HT rose "Royal William" (deep red with a lovely perfume) in memory of my father, just dug it up in a hurry and replanted it here and it's thrived, much better than it ever did before.  If you do it now, when the rose is dormant and replant asap, it will hardly know it's been moved. Dust the roots and surrounding soil with the mycorrhizal powder first, water well after planting and mulch with manure.
    Dad's rose has now been moved 3 times and is 25 years old.  Good luck.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    @audforrest My only other comment would be, to save time when you get them home, try and have as much of the new holes ready dug out. Obviously you won't know the exact size required,  but if you over estimate you can soon backfill. The forecast for the next week or so is reasonably mild, if the soil becomes frozen you could have problems. Hope it works out for you  :)  
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