When Is the Best Time to Order Bare Root Roses in the UK? – 2026/27 Guide
If you are planning to add roses to your garden during the dormant season, ordering at the right time can make a significant difference to the choice of varieties available. In the UK, the best time to order bare root roses is usually from August to October, before the main dispatch and planting season begins.
Quick answer
Best time to order: August–October
Standard bare-root dispatch at Gorgeous Roses: from 1 November 2026
Climbing roses: dispatched from late November
Main planting period: approximately 15 October–15 April, provided the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged.
Ordering early is particularly useful if you are looking for a specific colour, breeder, flower form or unusual variety. You can browse our Bare Root Roses collection to see the varieties currently available for the 2026/27 season.
What Is a Bare Root Rose?
A bare root rose is supplied while dormant, without a pot and without a large mass of surrounding compost. The plant normally arrives with exposed roots and woody stems, with little or no foliage.
This appearance is normal during dormancy. Once planted in suitable conditions, the plant can establish its root system before active spring growth begins.
When Is the Best Time to Order Bare Root Roses in the UK?
For the widest choice, we recommend ordering between August and October. This is the period when gardeners can secure varieties before the main lifting and dispatch season begins.
You can still order later in the dormant season when stock is available, but some varieties may sell out as autumn and winter progress.
Order, Dispatch and Planting Timeline
1. ORDER
August–October
Choose and pre-order your preferred varieties while the seasonal selection is widest.
2. STANDARD DISPATCH
From 1 November 2026
Standard bare-root rose orders begin leaving Gorgeous Roses, subject to stock, weather and lifting conditions.
3. CLIMBING ROSES
From late November
Bare-root climbing roses follow a later dispatch schedule than standard varieties.
4. PLANT
Approx. 15 October–15 April
Plant during the dormant season whenever the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged.
At a glance: Order early for choice, standard dispatch starts from 1 November, climbing roses follow from late November, and planting continues through the dormant season when conditions are suitable.
Why Order Bare Root Roses Early?
Ordering early is mainly about choice. If you already know which roses you want, placing your order before the main winter season gives you a better chance of securing specific varieties before they sell out.
Early ordering is especially useful if you are looking for:
- specific named rose varieties;
- unusual colours, striped or bi-coloured flowers;
- highly fragrant roses;
- a particular growth habit, such as Hybrid Tea, Floribunda or Climbing roses;
- several matching plants for a larger planting scheme.
It is particularly worthwhile if you are creating a new rose bed, planting several roses of the same type or working to a specific colour scheme.
Explore Bare Root Roses for UK gardens →
What Happens After You Order a Bare Root Rose?
Placing a pre-order does not mean the rose is immediately ready to leave the nursery. Bare root roses are supplied during dormancy and are dispatched according to the lifting season, weather conditions and individual variety availability.
If an individual product page gives a later or more specific dispatch date, follow the information shown on that product page.
Before your roses arrive, decide where each plant will go, check its mature height and spread, prepare the planting area and install supports in advance for climbing roses.
When a bare root rose arrives, keep the roots protected from drying out and plant as soon as soil and weather conditions are suitable.
When Can You Plant Bare Root Roses?
Bare root roses are generally planted while dormant, from autumn through early spring. For UK gardens, a practical planting window is approximately 15 October to 15 April.
The calendar is only a guide. Soil conditions matter more than the exact date. Avoid planting if the ground is frozen, heavily waterlogged or otherwise unsuitable for working.
For the full planting method, read our 10-step guide to planting bare root roses in the UK.
Bare Root Rose Calendar for the 2026/27 Season
Use the calendar as a seasonal guide rather than a fixed rule. In the UK, soil condition and weather are more important than the exact date: avoid planting into frozen or heavily waterlogged ground.
Featured Bare Root Roses to Explore
Here are four distinctive varieties currently featured in our bare-root range. Each offers a different colour, flower style or garden effect.
Choosing the Right Type of Bare Root Rose
Different rose groups suit different garden situations. Hybrid Tea Roses are ideal if you prefer large, classically shaped flowers. Floribunda Roses are known for flowering in clusters and creating a broader display of colour.
If you want height and vertical coverage for walls, fences, arches or pergolas, explore our Climbing Roses. Remember that our bare-root climbing roses are dispatched from late November.
Bare Root Roses vs Potted Roses
Bare root roses are seasonal and are supplied while dormant. They are particularly convenient for autumn and winter planting and are easy to handle when planting several roses.
Potted roses are supplied growing in compost and can usually be planted across a wider part of the year, provided weather and soil conditions are suitable.
If you are planning your planting during the dormant season, bare root roses usually offer the broadest opportunity to plan ahead and choose varieties before spring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bare Root Roses
When is the best time to order bare root roses in the UK?
August to October is usually the best period to order if you want the widest choice of varieties before the main dormant-season dispatch period begins.
When are bare root roses dispatched in the UK?
At Gorgeous Roses, standard bare-root dispatch for the 2026/27 season begins from 1 November 2026. Bare-root climbing roses are dispatched from late November.
Can I plant bare root roses in November or during winter?
Yes. November and the winter months are within the normal dormant planting season. Plant when the soil is workable and avoid frozen or heavily waterlogged ground.
Can I plant bare root roses in March or April?
Yes. Early spring can still be suitable, but bare root roses should be planted promptly as active growth begins. Our general seasonal guide runs to approximately mid April.
What should I do if I cannot plant my bare root rose immediately?
Keep the roots protected from drying out and plant as soon as suitable conditions allow. Do not leave exposed roots unprotected while waiting for the ground to become workable.
Is it normal for a bare root rose to arrive without leaves?
Yes. A dormant bare root rose commonly arrives with exposed roots, woody stems and little or no foliage. This is normal for a plant supplied during dormancy.
Order Bare Root Roses for the 2026/27 Season
If you already know what you want to grow next year, ordering before the main winter planting season gives you the best opportunity to secure your preferred varieties.
Browse Bare Root Roses for UK Delivery →
Written by Gorgeous Roses
We grow and supply bare root and potted roses to gardeners across mainland UK.