There's something magical about planting bareroot roses. While the rest of the garden sleeps under winter's blanket, you're giving your roses the gift of time—time to establish strong roots, time to settle in before the rush of spring growth, and time to reward you with an exceptional first bloom.
Strong Root Establishment
Bareroot roses planted during dormancy focus all their energy on developing roots before spring growth begins. This head start allows them to establish well in your garden soil and settle in before the demands of leaf and flower production kick in.
Better Selection
Pre-ordering bareroot roses gives you access to the widest variety selection of the season. Popular cultivars sell out quickly, and ordering early ensures you'll get exactly the roses you've been dreaming about for your garden.
Cost-Effective Quality
Bareroot roses offer premium quality at a more accessible price point. You're investing in the plant itself rather than paying for container growing time, potting soil, and the logistics of shipping heavy pots.
Straightforward Planting Process
Bareroot roses offer a simple, straightforward planting process. You can see the root structure clearly, making it easy to position the plant at the proper depth. Dig your hole, create a soil mound, spread the roots naturally, and backfill—it's a satisfying process that connects you directly with the plant from day one.
Ideal Dormant Season Planting
Planting while roses are dormant reduces transplant shock significantly. The plant can focus entirely on root establishment without the energy demands of supporting leaves and flowers. When spring arrives, your rose is already settled in and ready to grow.
The secret to getting the exact roses you want? Pre-order now. Our bareroot rose inventory arrives in January, and we begin releasing orders in February. The early weeks of our bareroot season offer the most complete selection—from classic hybrid teas to hardy landscape roses, climbing varieties to disease-resistant Knock Outs.
As the season progresses, popular varieties disappear quickly. Pre-ordering guarantees you won't miss out on that special rose you've had your eye on all year.
We ship bareroot roses nationwide through April, carefully packaging each plant to arrive in prime condition. Our shipping process protects roots during transit and includes detailed planting instructions so you can get your roses in the ground with confidence.
Whether you're in North Carolina or across the country, bareroot roses ship beautifully and establish reliably when planted during their dormant period.
If you live within driving distance of our garden shop, you have a wonderful advantage—access to both bareroot roses during the prime planting season and potted roses as spring arrives.
Bareroot Through March
We encourage local customers to take advantage of bareroot roses from February through March. You'll enjoy the same benefits as our shipping customers: excellent selection, great value, and the satisfaction of winter planting. Plus, you can pick up your pre-ordered roses directly from our garden shop and get personalized planting guidance from our team.
Transition to Potted Roses in April
Once April arrives, we recommend shifting to potted roses for several reasons:
Our team is always here to help you select the perfect rose and will recommend the best option—bareroot or potted—based on the current season and your specific garden conditions.
For 75 years, Witherspoon Rose Culture has been helping gardeners across North Carolina and beyond create stunning rose gardens. Whether you're planting your first rose or adding to an established collection, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Pre-order your bareroot roses today for the best selection, or mark your calendar for mid-April to visit our garden shop and choose from our potted rose collection.
Questions about which option is right for you? Contact our team—we're always happy to help you make the best choice for your garden.
