They were planted way too deep. I would dig them out and replant. I've transplanted newly planted bare root DA roses before and they all grew just fine. If you live in a colder climate (zone 5 or lower), plant the bud unions about 2 inches below the soil level.

I had to dig up and adjust a couple of my DA bare roots after I had planted them. A little over a month later, they're all doing just great. My intuitive sense is that, while disruptive, it's better for them to be dug up and readjusted than to compound original planting problems with further solutions. I'm a newbie but so far mine do seem to be flourishing despite "starting over."

We’re they BR budded or BR OR? How does anyone know they are planted too deep? How long were the canes at planting?

What’s your plant zone? In a colder zone you’d need to plant roses deep. I think they are planted too close to each other.

I am in Zone 6b - 7a NJ. The photo shown above is just one root.

They were budded when they arrived. In fact, when I added more dirt yesterday, some buds on the lower part of the cane were covered by dirt. Here is a picture of the cane with buds.

Thank you for all who replied. I think I'll dig them up and back fill more dirt after this rain passes. I'll also use the soil in my own yard instead of the top soil and garden soil I bought from Lowe's. I used to simply back fill with the original soil, and my roses didn't sink.

I'm curious about that statement that said "2ft"?? I think they meant root ball 2" below grade or to dig a hole 2ft wide x 2ft wide x 2ft deep. It's okay to mix your soil with amendments, but not just use all bagged stuff. Many recommendations are for 1/3 your garden soil, 1/3 compost and 1/3 top soil or peat moss depending on your soil texture. Just tamp the soil mix down and water as you fill in. Glad you dug them up as they were doomed if you didn't.

Their main immediate problem was them ending up in a puddle - if that planting site is prone to standing water they are not going to be able to grow there. Likewise putting them in a bucket of water after they have already been sitting in too much water seems counterintuitive.

Never amend planting hole backfill with anything that will make the soil texture within the hole significantly different from that of the soil around it. Because this procedure often has an adverse effect on how water enters and exists the amended hole.

University level experiments undertaken during the 1960s (and at other times since) found that subsequent top growth of woody plants placed in amended holes was less than that of the same kinds planted on the same sites, but without amendments.

@ lkayetwvz5 : you were right. The instructions did recommend to dig a hole 2ft wide and 2ft deep. I did do a mix of garden soil and top soil, but maybe too much top soil.

@ Embothrium: the bucket shown in the photo was taken before I planted them. I haven't dug them up yet. It's been raining heavily here in New Jersey since last night. I just hope they will hold up until the rain stops on Wednesday and I can get them out. At least they are not sitting in a puddle now.

Based on the canes on which my DA came in, I would err to say the OP might have them only 2" too deep ? Mine were planted a smidge under the soil with some much ontop (hoping own root).

It's been raining relentlessly. I think the root issue is just poor drainage in the soil + extra water due to rain/H20/ pitch of the deck/porch

OP, BTW, those 2 are planted too close together. Recommended spacing is 3 feet on average. I was a stickler on spacing, seeing how small the BR were but in seeing the leaves flush out, I can see how it can get big...

Yeah I wouldn't leave them sitting in that mudhole for days, I'd get them out of it immediately.

The 2 x 2 + amendments thing is long obsolete information that should be ignored. You want to dig only as deep as the roots are at time of planting, but the wider the soil is loosened beyond the existing spread the better.

And amending of individual holes for anything other than types like flowering annuals or annual vegetable plants, that have tiny root systems, may have been developed from wild plants that pop up in recently disturbed forest sites, where there is often a lot of undecomposed organic material present is counterproductive. With there being no point in mixing in any amount of texture-altering material: not enough to change the texture and nothing is accomplished, enough to change the texture and a problem has been created.

Off topic = noticed how the soil. Who's OCD like me. If I'm am digging up a few shovelfuls, out comes the wheelbarrrow DIY sifter box . I sift out as many rocks -within reason-

@ a1an they weren't planted next to each other. The photo may look like they were two plants, but it was actually only one of them. I planted the second one on the other side of the lawn, equally deep sank into its hole though :-(

btw, pic from right to left. Looks to be a slight pitch ? Besides deck runoff, maybe extra runoff in general. How's the soil like SANS rain. Correct the soil (it's amazing what compost and lotsa OM like mulch ) does given time.....it will help the drainage issues, FWIW.

It is a pitch that I dug to drain the water. I bought some Black Kow Compost and Manure at Lowe's last night and I will mix some in when I dig it out. Just hope the rain will stop!

So. the 2' deep is to account for the length of the roots. For our area, you would want the top of the bud union (where the green canes meet the long shaft) 2 - 3 inches below the surface. I also agree that there is too much water. We've been drowning the past 4 days.

I bought some Black Kow Compost and Manure at Lowe's last night and I will mix some in when I dig it out

Do not work soil that is flooded and do not amend individual planting holes (or other small areas) for woody or other long term, large-rooted material. if this spot keeps puddling you are going to have to do something like install a drainage system before it is going to be suitable for anything other than plants adapted to seasonal wetlands.

Install mini -gutter on the ledge of deck ;-)

Skip the BK. IMO it's over-rated. I've touched the bags of some - very gritty(aka, sandy).

Disclosure: one’s own small experience does not a university study make.

Three years ago, my first (3) Palatine roses arrived. 16 inch deep holes was my limit - clay and rocks. All removed soil was moved to another bed. The holes were filled with year old compost (leaves, weeds and grass clippings); nothing else. 100% organic matter. No mineral soil. Zero percent. Of course, I did not know what I was doing.

Those 3 roses are not only thriving, but are among my best performers, as regards flower production, leaf health, and vigor. Of course, they might have done even better if not for their unorthodox planting. Maybe.

All the roses around here will be “... sitting in a mud hole for days”, and will do well.

Heh Rifis. Off topic - this year, I transplanted some leftover shrubs I've been babying from 3G, 5G, 7G, 15G and 20G pots. I decided if I was not going to make a spot for them, they will never get planted. So I committed. As much or little pot medium washing I tried, it was a 20 W x 18'ish Deep Root Plug I was planting it. It was pure ~plug of roots and humus/decomposed bark/extra coarse vermiculite~ I felt so guilty looking at that large mass of organic mass relative to the native soil. In retrospect, as I move forward, instead of the ~large shrub instant gratification~, I am leaning in planting younger plants in native soil .

They'll survive being buried deep, the plant might just take a bit longer to fill out. The bigger problem is the drainage - have other plants done okay in that spot?

I totally agree with LPS.

Thank you for all the replies. The two spots I planted my roses in didn't have drainage issues before. They only became puddles after the roses were planted and the dirt sank. Last night after the rain stopped, they both drained well. The well I dug surely helped a lot. But I think I'll dig them out anyway, as soon as the rain stops!

Here is an update on my roses. I digged both out and re-planted them, and prayed I didn't hurt their roots. Generous Gardener seems to be fine, but Queen of Sweden looks a little withered and the leave tips are black. I guess it's called the Queen for a reason. I really hope it'll come around!

I have an area that gets immense amount of water, and I have killed many a plant there. What worked for me was to raise them up a bit, and as long as the area drains, the plants have been doing well

Here is how my Queen of Sweden look now with some new leaves. It's not a fast grower.

That’s actually pretty fast for 10 days of growth. Congrats!

Hi Diane, that's great! I guess my friend simply got different roses. My Generous Gardener does grow a little faster than Queen of Sweden, even though Queen of Sweden gets more sun.

It looks healthy & happy!

I planted a couple of BR roses this year. From what I read, you dig a deep hole then mound dirt in the center and arrange roots around it. That lifted the plant up quite a bit. I know if you amend only the soil in the hole you dig it might cause the roots to turn back toward the plant and basically strangle itself. I was working on a "bed in progress" so I knew I would be continuing on either side before long. Your roses look happy to be there!

Sherri Cine, thanks! I'll be careful amending the soil in the future!

Here is my Queen of Sweden now, with four buds!

Great news Wi-Fi! Your diligent efforts paid off really well!

Roses are so much more friendly now than they used to be! Not nearly as prickly... lol

One last update on my Queen of Sweden. She's been holding up well to the relentless rain we've been having in the North East. Generous Gardener is thriving too. Thank you very much for giving me good advice!

flowersaremusic, thank you! It's now sunny and hitting 86 finally! I've made a note and will do the same next time when I plant a bare root!