Garden Q&A: Is it too late to move a rose in February?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Once roses have dropped their leaves and are fully dormant, they can be moved quite successfully, writes Peter Dowdall.  File picture

Question

I have a rose in the garden that I want to move. Is it too late?

Answer

No, this is actually one of the best times to move a rose. 

Once roses have dropped their leaves and are fully dormant, they can be moved quite successfully. Lift it on a day when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged. 

Dig carefully around the plant to keep as much of the root system intact as possible, and replant it promptly into well-prepared soil at the same depth it was growing before. 

Firm the soil gently but thoroughly and water it in, even in winter, to settle the roots. 

Cut back the stems above the ground before moving to counteract damage done to the root system, and pay attention to watering next summer.

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