When to Plant Rose Bushes in Washington
- In Washington, higher elevations bring longer, colder winters, so early frosts in fall and later frosts in spring can be expected. In the lower elevations along the state's coastal regions, however, the frosts traditionally end earlier in spring and start later in fall. Frost periods determine when rose bushes should be planted.
- Dormant bare-root rose bushes should be planted up to 7 weeks before the last spring frost. This gives the root system time to settle into the ground in order for the bushes to be able to unfurl their leaves along with the surrounding trees and shrubs in the garden.
- Potted roses grown under greenhouse conditions, especially those with blooms already on the canes, should not be planted until the danger of frost has passed. They can also be planted throughout the growing season, as long as they're given enough time to establish their root systems and settle into the ground before the first frost in the fall.