How to Care for David Austin & Whartons Roses – In Store Now at Bailey’s of Wistow

Posted on: 30/06/2026
 

Roses are the heart of the English garden, bringing timeless beauty, fragrance and colour to borders, beds and containers. At Bailey’s of Wistow, we’re pleased to stock a beautiful selection of David Austin and Whartons roses, ready to plant and enjoy in your garden.

Both ranges are known for their repeat flowering, classic rose shapes and reliable garden performance. With the right planting and a little seasonal care, your roses will reward you with healthy growth and stunning blooms year after year.

Choosing the Right Spot

Roses grow best in a sunny, well-ventilated position. Aim for a spot that receives at least 4–6 hours of sunlight a day, with good air movement around the plant to help keep foliage healthy.

Before planting, improve the soil with plenty of rich compost, such as Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost, and add a handful of Vitax Organic Bone Meal to encourage strong root growth. You can also use mycorrhizal fungi at planting time to help the roots establish well.

How to Plant Your Rose

Water your potted rose generously immediately before planting.

Prepare the soil thoroughly with a garden fork, removing any weeds, large stones or compacted areas. This gives the roots plenty of room to spread and establish.

Dig a hole large enough for the root ball. As a guide, this will usually be around 40cm wide by 40cm deep. Keep the soil you remove, as you’ll use it again when backfilling.

Break up the soil at the bottom of the hole with a fork. Mix a spadeful of soil improver into the base of the hole, then mix two more spadefuls of soil improver with the soil you removed.

Carefully remove the rose from its container. Wearing gloves, hold the rose firmly and gently ease the pot away. Loosen the roots slightly so they can spread into the surrounding soil, then sprinkle with a granular rose feed if desired.

Position the rose in the centre of the hole. The graft union — the swollen area where the stems meet the roots — should sit around 5cm below soil level. This helps protect the plant from frost during colder weather.

Backfill around the roots using the improved soil, firming gently with your foot as you go. Water the rose well after planting, then apply a mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Feeding Established Roses

Most roses are repeat flowering, so regular feeding helps keep them strong, healthy and full of blooms.

For established plants, feed with a specialist rose fertiliser such as Vitax Organic Rose Feed in:

  • March
  • June
  • Late July

This gives your roses the nutrients they need at key points in the growing season.

Pruning & Deadheading

Prune roses in late February or early March while the plants are still dormant. Remove any dead, damaged or weak wood, then shorten healthy stems by around one third to encourage strong new growth.

Throughout summer, deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms. For David Austin roses, cut back to a healthy leaf with five leaflets, as this helps encourage repeat flowering.

Mulching & Watering

Apply a mulch around the base of your roses in spring to help keep roots cool, retain moisture and reduce weeds. Top up the mulch during the season if needed, taking care not to pile it directly against the stems.

In dry weather, water deeply at least once a week, especially for newly planted roses. Always water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves, as this helps reduce the risk of fungal problems.

Visit Us In Store

Pop in-store and our team at Bailey’s of Wistow will be happy to help you choose the perfect rose for your garden, whether you’re looking for the fragrance and romance of a David Austin rose or the strength and reliability of a Whartons variety.

We have a great selection available now, ready to bring colour, scent and classic charm to your garden.