Best way to transplant a rose??

I have been told that I can have a rose bush from my husband's deceased grandmother's yard. Yay!!!! What a wonderful way to remember her everyday. My problem--I've never had to dig up and transplant a rose bush before. It looks like a hybrid tea rose, it has one bloom on it now, very pretty yellow with pink highlights--sorry no picture). The bloom is on a long stem with no other buds but the bush is actually growing up through a hedge and only the top is in the sun! Very determined plant!

Any advice or hints will be greatly appreciated! I live in zone 8a and the days are just now starting to get warm on a consistant basis. The evenings are still getting down into the 50's. I'm not sure if any of this matters. I just want to give you as much information as I think might help.

Thanks so much in advance!

Best time to transplant roses are when they are dormant in March or April

Carefully dig up the rose with as many roots intact as possible, about 18 inches in diameter, for most roses, shake off as much soil as you can.
Have your hole prepared, mix in composted manure and bone meal(follow package directions) (some also use blood meal) in with the soil and create a "hill" in the bottom of the hole, you put the bush on top of the hill and make sure it's level where the bud union is 2 to 3 inches below the ground in cold winter climates (lows below -10F), and at ground level or slightly above where winters are -10F or warmer. gently spread the roots over the hill of soil. Fill in with soil water and keep adding soil till completely level

Keep it well watered for a few weeks for it to become established

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately, I can't turn back time and get the rose in March or April :-( . Will I kill the bush if I try to transplant it now? and Do I need to cut any off of the top to help it out. I can't wait a whole year to get the plant either. The house will be sold by then.

I have planted bare root roses before for my husband (our yard if full of his roses that were bought bare root). So I'm glad to know that the actual planting is the same. Whew! I've just never tried to transplant one before! I absolutely don't want to kill this plant!

Has it been hot down there yet? The nights are still cool so you might make out ok. Just keep it watered

You don't need to prune any of the top unless there are dead branches(also suggested if it's a climbing rose to make it easier)
UNLESS it's really sad looking and needs a new lease on life, you might want to do a hard prune( I had to do that to a sad looking one my neighbor gave me)

thanks flowAjen,

It has just started getting hot in the last 2 days (first 90 degree day was yesterday-Sunday) so I'm gonna go on Tuesday when I'm off work and get it. I'll prepare the hole for it before I go dig it up. I didn't see any dead branches and I don't think it's a climber, but I could be wrong. I've got to get the hedge out of the way so I can see the bottom part of the plant.

You've been a great help!

A suggestion, since you will be transporting it from one location to another, wrap the roots in wet newspaper and stick it in a plastic garbage bag....this will help protect the small feeder roots the bush has started putting out from drying out too much. It will also make it easier to handle.

Also use a root stimulating fertilizer in the hole to help the roots get established. Keep it well watered (from the base...don't water leaves or you're setting yourself up for fungus). Then...enjoy! It may take a year to get established, but should do fine.

Great suggestions themoonhowl & Allison28...I'll take a bag and some newspaper with me when I go tomorrow to dig it up. And I think my mom has some root stimulating fertilizer, I'll have to ask. This has been great getting advice from everyone. I was so worried that I might kill this rose and I sooooo want it to live! I'll take a picture tomorrow and try to get it posted if ya'll would like to see it. I'm so excited!
Thanks bunches!

Good luck Unicorn. Post a picture of your new treasure when ya get her planted.

Here's a picture of the rose bush where it was growing in the bushes at Grandma's house.

and here's the picture of the little beauty planted in the back yard. I put it next to the house so the microclimate should be the same as it was next to the garage wall at Grandma's.

Thanks again for everyone's advice!

Congrats....looks like it made the transition just fine.