Planting and growing rose bushes is easy and rewarding. Here are some simple tips to help you plant the perfect rose bush.

Plant your rose bushes in an area that receives a minimum of six hours of sunshine each day. Dig the hole for planting large enough to give the roots plenty of room.

It may be wise to add peat moss or some form of compost to the dirt in the hole before planting the rose. Sand should also be added if the soil is extremely moist.

Examine the roots carefully after the plant is placed in the hole. Trim back dead or broken roots with a hand pruner.

Use top soil to form a cone in the bottom of the hole where the rose bush is to be planted. Spread the rose roots evenly over this cone. Again, make sure the hole is large enough to provide adequate room for all rose roots.

Set the rose bush at the proper depth. Most healthy rose bushes have three strong shoots coming up from the root system. Cover the knot just below the three shoots to a depth of 1".

Pack the soil firmly around the roots of the rose bush. Fill the hole with water and allow it to soak in. Then, refill the hole again.

Prune the rose bush after planting. Prune hybrid tea roses back to lengths of about 6" to 8". Trim floribundas to lengths of approximately 4" to 6". Spray all pruned areas with a special pruning paint to prevent damage from insects and disease.

* Build a mound around the newly planted rose bush with loose soil of top grade.

Tool & Materials Checklist

___ Polyethylene Sheets	___ Rotary Tiller
___ Pruning Shears	___ Garden Hose
___ Tree Wrapping Materials	___ Peat Moss or Gypsum
___ Speedy Cultivator	___ Pruning Spray
___ Fertilizer	___ Work Gloves
___ Spading Fork	___ Broom Rake
___ Hand Cleaner	___ Lawn Rake
___ Double-Duty Rake	___ Garden Hose Nozzle
___ Lawn Seed	___ Garden Cart

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.