This will be an acceptable time of year to move them. (Probably March would be an even more optimal time but now is acceptable too)

Be aware, however, that a rose bush will usually require 2 (or sometimes even 3) years to fully recover after being dug up, and will temporarily not have the vigor that it did. The roots need time to regrow. Make sure the bush is kept well watered during the first summer. Maybe even give just a little water if there are some sunny dry times in May, but use discretion. It would also be optimal to try to keep the bush well watered during the summer of the second year.

I suggest mixing a little bit (15-30%) potting soil into the hole, or 20% compost. The rest can either be ordinary dirt or "raised bed" soil. Then put some mulch around the surface.

It can depend a little bit on the rose variety as well.

I don't think you need to do a total "bare root" transfer, but maybe just try to remove as much dirt as possible from near the top of the plant. The dirt towards the bottom, where all those fine (tiny) roots branch out, is actually more important. The Blue Star Creeper roots probably will not go down more than 7 inches I suspect.

Here in Italy, autumn/winter is the best (the only?) time to move stuff; by March, the heat is just around the corner.

For many years, Palatine shipped BR roses in later November, after harvesting and grading. They are 7A.

Most of the ones received here and planted w/i 24 hours did well.

I'm glad I posted this as I've decided to wait until late winter/early spring. I'm not in a hurry to move them and from reading in some other places, they concur it's best at that time.

I've moved many plants over the years. Most in fall or early spring, but sometimes they have to move when it's hot and keeping an eye on watering is a priority.

We're moving 5 roses. Buxom Beauty, Garden Party, Gypsy Soul, Belle Epoque and Francis DuBreuil. The place theses were planted proved to not be sunny enough so we created a new bed in the sunniest location for their new home.

A total of 9 roses will ring the outer edge of this bed. If it proves to be too many we may need a bigger bed. :o)

The climate of Italy is a little different from the US Pacific Northwest (PNW). The PNW has some winter freeze. Rose bushes that have been dug up and planted in the ground can make it through those mild freezes, but it's not really the most optimal. Late September or early October is better than later in the year because it's still cool, and there's some moisture in the air, but the roses can still have some time to grow a little bit before it starts getting too cold. Late February is better than earlier in the winter because it's still cold and wet but the hard freeze has already passed. The first half of March is probably the best time. Temperatures are still very cool but it's gradually warming up and will be very wet all the way until June. Though probably even May would be an acceptable time (at least in Western Washington).

Are you in Italy?

If you want to talk about Italy, there's a big difference between northern and southern Italy. Southern Italy has been having some really hot blazing summers recently, and of course it's dry. Not a good time to plant roses during the warm half of the year, and best to give as much time as possible between when the planting is and the time of year when temperatures will start warming up.

I love Italy and have traveled their several times. I was curious why you mentioned it and wondered if it was because you are from there or live there now.

I live in northern Tuscany,which is sort of the center. The climate here has been destroyed by global warming. ALL of Italy (maybe not so much the far, far north in the Alpine regions) suffers "hot, blazing summers",not just the south, and rain during the summer is rare, though when it does come, in many areas it's devastatingly violent and destructive.Once upon a time,about 30 years ago, weather was usually pretty pleasent up until the end of June,and by mid-August, it would start to rain again, so only a month and a half of drought and real heat. Not so any more. Now, alas, it can start getting hot and dry even in the months in which it ought to be spring, and the extreme heat and drought start regularly in June. Even worse, now you can't count on regular rain even in fall and winter! So planting things, moving plants, etc. MUST be done in fall and winter.

This year I'm running late because I had a hip replacement and I've hurt my right arm ,but normally I'd have started planting out potted roses in September, and start doing moves in October-November. I see that Rose Barni this year has started selling their bare root roses now in October,whereas up until last year they only began offering them in November, so I don't think that my evaluation of the situation is subjective.

Brian, as a neighbor (albeit a slightly distant one) I have a pretty sound understanding of our climate and weather patterns. I personally would have no issues moving roses - or pretty much any other shrub or perennial - at any time of year other than our summer dry period. We do not have "hot, blazing summers"......not anywhere close. But we do experience a recurring summer drought, typically June through September, give or take, which makes summer transplanting challenging and a much less desirable option.

And unless I am seriously mistaking your location, I think you are probably at least a zone 8a, if not 8b. Virtually all of western WA is ranked as such, other than high or mountainous elevations (Snoqualmie Pass is a zone 7b). That reduces the risk of winter transplants as it rarely ever gets cold enough to cause significant stem damage, let alone root damage.

I'm not at all sure what Italy has to do with the discussion :-))

I missed @User post mentioning Italy and so thought @socalnolympia was the first person to bring it up. I think he was just highlighting the difference rather than advising what I should do.

We regularly have a few nights that hit 10 and several weeks where night temps are between 15 and 20F. That along with the tree cover that blocks the sun in winter from hitting the ground in many areas of the gardens gives us a chilly microclimate that tips us from somewhere between 8a and 7b. We are one of the last places for snow to disappear due to this microclimate affect.

That said I agree with you Pam and have moved plants at all times of year when necessary. This question about the roses is more of what is the best as I'm not in a hurry to move them.

@rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a) Try as I might in any transplant to keep dirt on a good root ball, it often doesn't work out and the dirt crumbles away. It usually works out OK and may take a bit more attention to the plant after moving to make sure it's getting what it needs.

SeniorBalloon -- I have no advice to offer but just wanted to say I love that photo of your beautiful cat popping out of that pot, which has such a striking glaze/patina on it. I hope your cat hasn't minded losing its lookout spot to the coneflowers, etc.! A round rose bed sounds really lovely.

Hey @SeniorBalloon, lots of dug up perennials have wonderful 'tight' root balls eg hostas; so unlike what I experience with established roses. Anyways, good luck :).