Before planting bare-root roses, soak the roots for at least 4 hours and up to a day before planting. If the plant is extremely dry, submerge the entire plant for at least 24 hours.

Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the extended roots of the plant, letting the sides of the hole taper outward at the bottom of the hole. Leave a mound in the center and then dig slightly deeper around the mound to encourage the roots to grow down into the soil rather than out.

Add more soil to the mound, firming it as you go, to make it tall enough so the rose will be at the proper planting height (see Rose Planting Basics). Trim off any damaged roots and then place the plant over the cone and spread the roots out. Fill the hole with the soil you removed, and water well.

If the plant settles, gently wiggle the plant upward, add more soil beneath it, and then water again. Add mulch around the base of the plant to help conserve moisture and keep out weeds, but take care that it doesn't touch the plant itself.