What's your general location and growing zone so people can help you better? Thanks!

So they been sitting there like that since March?

It looks like you have good new growth on one of the bushes that looks more normal. The other second photo of the bush that has canes with no growth but a new basal cane looks a bit odd. Those canes look like there's a coating on them and perhaps that's prohibiting or slowing new growth? It's a very good sign there's a very strong-looking cane cane that popped up. Looks to me like you're doing everything right and now patience is what it takes. :-)

I'm in Scotland in the UK

Thank you :-) sure hope so j have tried my best lol. Generally how long does jt take after planting for the roses to start budding heads?

Hi Natasha - I agree with your previous responses that this rose looks pretty good. The idea in a rose's first year is to get new growth like you have and mostly to put on new canes and roots in the first year. If you get blooms it's a bonus, but it's not necessarily expected. Roses take around three years to get into their full glory, and the more they put on good roots and canes at first, the better the blooms will become. The rule is - first year they sleep, next year creep, third year leap.

If you haven't seen any new growth from those canes at the back in two months, they're probably canes on their way out. Most roses bought at department stores and such are coated with wax to keep the canes moist, and it doesn't always work. The canes are probably dried out and need to be pruned out, even down to the ground if they look dry. You have the rest of the new growth to base the rose on at this point. You're already doing well to get a "body bag" rose as we call them this well along, since they are sometimes dead before you even buy them.

Being in Scotland, you probably get fairly regular rain, but I'd still put some additional organic mulch on top of your compost around the rose to hold in the moisture. Something like chipped bark (or even leaves - they're free) will keep the weeds down, hold in the moisture, and break down when the worms work into it to improve your soil. What's not to love, eh?

So all I'd do is trim out those drying canes, mulch around the rose, and make sure it stays reasonably watered every 7-10 days with rain or something additional. You can add a little half-strength diluted liquid fertilizer like fish emulsion or seaweed to the water if you feel like it, but no other fertilizers in the first year except maybe alfalfa hay around the base. Just take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back for getting your rose this far, and enjoy the lovely green growth for this year.

Cynthia

What dublinbay said - leave them alone, except for more water. No food, and certainly no sprays of any kind. They are trying to grow roots, an activity which you cannot see. Patience is a virtue.

Jackie

Scotland is not the warmest, sunniest place. Roses are going to be slower there, most especially the first year. It looks pretty good, keep caring for it and be patient. I would skip mulch simply because the soil will be a little warmer that way. Here where it is very hot and dry, mulch helps a lot, but in a climate like Scotland I would think warmth would help a bit.

Aw thanks everyone. Feeling much better now :-) I was worried about them lol. But that's fabulous that they seen to be doing well. Just one question the ends of the canes that were all ready there are looking rather dry, just how far back should I prune them.? As I say I am an amiture so don't want to go causing any damage lol.

Pruning each cane off slightly above an outward facing bud is usually recommended. Prune any dead or weak growth like this, and after blooms die also prune the old blooms off. This grooming really helps a bush look it's best.

will add my question to this thread. Unlike natashamcneil90 I didn't have luck with bare root roses... well, first roses ever for me, impulse purchase... Seems like I ordered them too late for our weather... so now I have 2 of them looking like this. Do I need to shovel them since they look almost dead or shall I wait longer... they have been sitting in the ground for about a month now... Thanks in advance.

The Original poster: I have some roses that take like 2-3 months to really "sprouting", like it has a rocket on it, 2-3cm groths overnight. But before that, it's like your, taking its time and I like to believe that It's developing its roots.

Natasha: I think it's dead. I have see that look on some roses unfortunately :(