Marianne's Response

MARYA319’s Question

Hi Marianne, I have a 78 year old rose bush that I took from my Grama’s house when she passed away. When I dug it up 16 years ago the root was so large that it broke into 2 rose bushes, so I planted them right next to each other about 8 inches apart. The problem is I didn’t plant them deep enough. I have to add top soil to them a few times in the spring and fall but after the winter I’m right back where I started. I am tired of the quick fixes and am thinking about digging them up and replanting them deeper. What are your thoughts on this. Do you have any suggestions. I will feel terrible if I do something wrong and they dont make it. I live in Michigan. Can you give me some pointers on what to do.

Posted by MARYA319 on April 19, 2013

Marianne's Response

Yikes! I feel like I hold the life force of your grandmother's roses in the palm of my hand and I am not sure which way to go. On the one hand, if they are not broke, don't fix them - so if they have survived 16 years planted too high, let them be. But I do see your point about being tired fo quick fixes. Perhaps you could add a border around the plants to create a raised bed and fill in around this with more soil. Now they will have more soil but not have to undergo the trauma of a transplant. Should you decide to go for it and uproot the roses, do this when they are still dormant in early spring. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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