Can you grow rose bushes out of extra large containers?

I have recently bought 3 containers of rose bushes. Is it possible to transplant them to a big container, so as to keep them close to patio?

Yes, I had an Iceberg in a pot for over a year. It did great. You need to put it in a large pot - no smaller than 5 gal. - I read that somewhere - it worked for me. Others might write in about what size container is best. Enjoy your potted roses and good luck.
Mary D.

I suspect the size that is best will change as the plant grows. It's not a good idea to stick a tiny plant into a huge pot right away, it's best to pot it up gradually as it outgrows its old pot. So if the rose is really small now you may have to pot it up a couple of times along the way. For now I'd either leave it in the container its in if it looks like it has plenty of room, or else find something just a bit larger and put it in that if things are getting tight in the current pot. I don't do much with roses, so maybe they have a better tolerance for being in a pot that's too big than some other plants do, but with many plants you increase your risk of overwatering it by putting it in too large of a pot right away.

Well thank you Marydil! I was hoping I'd get a yes on that! And thank you ecrane! I think you just answered a question I have under another thread about raspberries in containers. I asked if strawberries are okay in a pretty large container, but the plant is kind of small. I just thought it would grow so quick that it would fill up a smaller one quickly & I'd be transplanting again. But what you said makes sense. The possibility of over watering is definitely there. Do you think I should put the strawberries in a smaller container, before I kill them? I have a bad habilt of over watering as it is!!!

Lately, I have 4 climbing roses that are struggling along in containers DH built for me. I think it's the harsh New England winters more than anything else. The lady I bought them from said that each rose needed root space that was 16" x 16" x 16". I don't know if it's true. .. . . . good luck! xxx, Carrie

Thanks Carrie & everyone! I'll try potting them up just a size or 2 for now & see what happens. One bush, the "Medallion Rose", is starting to bloom 2 roses. Can just barely see some of the color peekiing out on the sides! So, I don't want to ruin a good thing. I'll keep you all posted as to how they do!

I was thinking about planting some David Austin roses in containers and asked them that same question. I pasted their response below. Somewhere along the way I thought I remember reading that most roses are vigorous growers and should be planted in a larger container from the beginning. I'm sure a lot depends on the type of rose too though.

Response from David Austin:
"At least 24" wide and 24" deep with very good drainage. Thanks!

Thank you for your interest in David Austin Roses!

Thank you, kc, that is interesting to note. . . . xx, Carrie

Yes, thanks kc I will keep that in mind & try to go w/that size. I know they say to remove them from containers asap, & maybe that's why. They need more room to grow!

I grow roses in containers every year. I usually do a herb assortment with a rose or a color theme, say red tea with red calibrocea & white bacopa.
Our winters are too cold to overwinter in the pot though.
This is last year with creeping Jenny

The container is lovely but so is that adorable little doggie.

ooohh, I love the creativity of your display. The roses are beautiful & the dog is soo cute! I have a white Pekatese (Maltese/Pekignese) puppy along w/other bigger dogs & a cat! So anyhow I better get to work on those roses already! Should I use a specific kind of mulch on top? If so, how much, just a thin covering?

I was going to post the necessary size of 23-25" when I saw the answer already posted. This was told to me by Teas Nursery in Houston where people grow roses in big clay pots all the time. He also said that was the minimum size one would grow well in.

I tried it for a few years and they did well although they certainly required a regimented fertilizer program, etc......sprays, etc.

Hi, Gail, They are having a Bloom Sale at the CC Botanical Gardens today, starts at 9:00 am. They have some roses to sell not many but alot of other plants. I'm working there till noon. The place is really nice this time of year.
Mary D.

I am sure that you are gone by now, Mary! I had a shot of cortisone put in my knee and can't do much for another couple of days. Have fun and I will miss the good buys!

Oh, Gail, poor you, OUCH! The sale sounds grand, though! xx, Carrie

You are too funny, Carrie! He deadened it first so it wasn't bad! (LOL)

Thanks all for the correct sizes for containers. But, I'm still wondering on mulch. How necessary is it & what if you use the wrong kind?

Cortisone shots, Eeekkkkk, well, get better and better each day.
The plant sale was really nice and they had alot of people show up. I had to leave at noon. I'm keeping the grandkids this evening. There was some good sales and then again not so good but they did have alot of different kind of plants that you don't see at the usual nurseries and big stores. Next year. They have this every spring. Take care of yourself,.
Mary D.

Just make sure the mulch does not have weed poisoning in it. You can check on the label of the mulch bag. The mulch just helps the soil stay moist and not dry out as fast.

Okay, got it! Thank you! I would never have thought about that. I'll have to check to see if the one I got is safe.

I'm not familiar with the mulch with weedkiller in it, but the weed killer ingredient pretty much has to be either a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed seeds from germinating, or a weed killer that gets rid of grasses but not other types of plants. After all, mulch typically goes on flower beds so you couldn't have a general purpose herbicide in there or else it would kill all your plants and I can't imagine they'd sell much of it! LOL I strongly suspect it's a pre-emergent since those are typically products that you sprinkle on the garden and they continue to work for a period of time, the grass killers are typically liquids that you have to spray directly on the weeds in order for it to have any effect, I can't imagine something that's incorporated into the mulch being strong enough to get rid of existing weeds or lingering long enough for it to be worth having it as part of the mulch rather than a separate spray. Either way, pre-emergents and grass killers won't hurt your roses. I also imagine unless you paid extra purposely to get mulch with weedkiller in it that your mulch is the plain regular kind.