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Planting roses / graft union

LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
in Plants
Lots of conflicting advice - I always thought you plant with bud union above ground level, but most advice now says 1-2" below. Except the RHS, which says it should be AT soil level. To prevent die back. How do you do yours?
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I now plant roses with the graft a good 3-4” below soil level ... result less windrock, hardly any suckering, and happy healthy roses. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    David Austin recommend planting the graft below the soil , if anybody knows roses it be them . 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I planted my first rose above, but all subsequent ones below. The first one’s graft union os pretty much subsumed by mulch now too. It does look neater too...
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Below for me to. 
    For the reasons given by @Dovefromabove and also the "top" growth will put down their own roots too which eventually take over from the "rootstock" 
    Devon.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Interesting the RHS advice, wonder what research they based that suggestion on...planted twelve roses this year all have done great, planted just below ground level. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    There was a discussion about above or below on the rose season thread (p85-86). 

    The only benefit to planting the graft at or above ground level (see Marlorena’s post p86) was if you have heavy clay soil in a high rainfall area.

    I did find it was easier and less spiky to clear up fallen leaves under my first, above ground rose (until it got buried by mulch) but that is not a good enough reason, really. i am now fully converted to burying.

    The RHS advice does seem to be a bit outdated/contrary to the advice of most rose breeders...
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I left school and went to work in a garden centre in 1979 and it was still "leave the union above ground" , but it wasn't long after that "they" decided it was best to bury them.
    Devon.
  • Mr. Vine EyeMr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,394
    Just don’t plant them like this unfortunate person did!


    East Yorkshire
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    There is a similar pic somewhere on the forum from a few years ago @Mr. Vine Eye ... we were at our most tactful and encouraging when giving advice 😇 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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