Early Spring Garden Tasks: Transplanting Roses & Protecting Against Rabbits

By Eric and Christopher, Grow For Me Gardening

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There's nothing quite as exciting as those first warm days of late winter when we can finally get back into the garden! Recently, we took advantage of a beautiful day to tackle some essential early spring tasks: transplanting roses that needed more sun, dividing our favorite perennials, and protecting our precious roses from rabbit damage. Join us as we share the process and offer tips for your own garden awakening.

Gardens Change With the Gardener

One of our garden mantras is that "gardens change with the gardener," and today's projects perfectly illustrate this principle. When we first planted our Mary Rose and Gertrude Jekyll roses (our very first David Austin roses!), the Eastern Redbud nearby was just a tiny sapling. Now that it's matured, it's casting too much shade on these sun-loving plants.

Rather than struggling with underperforming roses, we decided to relocate them to sunnier spots where they can truly thrive. This kind of evolution is natural and necessary in a well-tended garden—don't be afraid to move plants that aren't in their ideal locations!

Transplanting Roses Successfully

Moving established roses might seem intimidating, but with proper technique, it can be done safely, even in early spring. Here's our process:

Step 1: Prepare the New Location First

Before disturbing your rose's roots, dig the new hole first. This minimizes the time roots are exposed to drying air. Make the hole:

• Wider than you think necessary
• Deep enough to accommodate the root ball
• In a location with adequate sunlight for roses (at least 6 hours daily)

Step 2: Prune Before Transplanting

We reduced the size of our roses before moving them, which:

• Makes the plant easier to handle
• Reduces stress on the plant during transplanting
• Minimizes water loss through transpiration

For Gertrude Jekyll (notoriously thorny!), we removed several canes, especially those showing winter dieback (blackened areas). We were more aggressive with pruning than we might be during regular maintenance, but this helps the rose focus energy on root establishment rather than supporting extensive top growth.

Step 3: Carefully Extract the Rose

When digging up an established rose:

• Start by digging a wide circle around the plant
• Go straight down with your shovel to preserve as many roots as possible
• Gently rock the plant to loosen it before lifting
• Wear thick gloves—those thorns mean business!

Step 4: Replant with Amendments

When backfilling the hole:

• Use a mixture of native soil and quality amendments
• We combine Coast of Maine compost with Stonington Blend organic plant food
• Mix amendments thoroughly with native soil rather than creating distinct layers
• Water thoroughly during planting to eliminate air pockets

Creative Rose Pairings

We're especially excited about our new planting combinations:

• Gertrude Jekyll + Pink Mink Clematis: Rather than completely separating these plants, we planted Gertrude Jekyll alongside an existing Pink Mink clematis, creating a beautiful "tone-on-tone" pink combination. The clematis will climb the same trellis as the rose for a stunning vertical display.
• Mary Rose + Walker's Low Catmint: We surrounded our transplanted Mary Rose with divisions of Walker's Low catmint. This creates a beautiful textural contrast and provides a fragrant, pollinator-friendly border that complements the roses.

Dividing Walker's Low Catmint

Spring is the perfect time to divide many perennials, including our beloved Walker's Low catmint (Nepeta). This plant offers so many benefits:

• Beautiful lavender-blue flowers that complement roses
• Fragrant foliage that deters rabbits and deer
• Drought tolerance once established
• Easy division for propagation

The Simple Division Process:

Despite our jokes about needing "scientific skill," dividing catmint couldn't be easier:

1. Dig up the entire clump
2. Cut it into sections with a sharp shovel (we quartered ours)
3. Replant divisions at the same depth they were growing before
4. Water thoroughly to help establish

We used our divisions to create a soft hedge in front of Mary Rose and to fill gaps in other areas of the garden. The divisions will establish quickly and look full by summer.

Protecting Roses from Rabbit Damage

This winter, we learned a hard lesson about rabbit damage to our roses. Many of our newer plantings suffered significant gnawing on their stems, especially where deep snow allowed rabbits to reach higher branches.

Our Simple But Effective Solution:

We created protective cages using:

• Black-coated chicken wire (much less visible in the garden)
• Tin snips for cutting custom sizes
• Occasional zip ties for securing larger cages

The process is straightforward:

1. Cut a piece of chicken wire slightly larger than needed
2. Form it into a cylinder around the rose
3. Connect the ends by weaving the cut wire ends together
4. Leave room for the rose to grow within the cage

While these cages are somewhat visible now, once the roses leaf out, they'll virtually disappear. The black coating helps them blend into the landscape, and the protection they provide is absolutely worth the minimal visual impact.

For established roses showing rabbit damage, we pruned away the damaged canes before applying protection. Look for scraped areas on stems—these won't heal properly and can invite disease. Cut back to healthy growth below the damage.

Reimagining Garden Spaces

As we worked, we continued planning future changes, including:

• Moving Walker's Low catmint to the front of borders where it was previously buried
• Transplanting 'Reminiscent Pink' roses that were too close to expanding 'Quick Fire Fab' hydrangeas
• Considering additions of blue annual salvias for contrasting height and color

This ongoing evaluation and adjustment is what keeps gardens fresh and beautiful. Don't be afraid to make changes when plants outgrow their spaces or when your vision for an area evolves.

Final Thoughts on Early Spring Garden Work

These transitional days between winter and spring offer the perfect opportunity to:

• Relocate plants before they break dormancy
• Divide and multiply perennials
• Apply protective measures against wildlife
• Assess winter damage and prune accordingly

By tackling these tasks early, your garden will be positioned for a spectacular growing season ahead. The work may seem daunting, especially after a winter break, but the rewards of healthy, thriving plants make every sore muscle worthwhile!

What early spring tasks are you tackling in your garden this year? Have you found creative solutions for protecting plants from wildlife? We'd love to hear about your experiences!

Thanks for growing with us!