How to Plant Don Juan Climbing Roses

Dig a hole for each Don Juan rose plant that is 9 to 10 inches deep and approximately twice as wide as the root system. Place the holes approximately 1 foot from the support system and 7 to 10 feet apart.

Add one to two shovels of compost to the bottom of each hole. Shape the compost into a mound at the bottom of the holes.

Place each Don Juan rose plant into a prepared hole. Spread its roots out around the compost mound. Add soil to the holes, tamping the soil down firmly by hand. Continue adding soil until the grafting union (the point where the stems join the roots) is at soil level.

Add a light sprinkling of rose food around the base of each rose plant, consulting the package recommendations for the proper amount for the size of the plant.

Place 2 inches of pine bark over the soil around each plant, taking care to keep the pine bark back from the stems of the roses by approximately 4 inches. Pull back and remove the pine bark when the rose plants begin to grow new shoots.

Provide enough water to saturate the soil immediately after planting but not enough that puddles form.

Pull the structural canes up to the support system. Tie them carefully to the trellis or fence using flexible plant ties. Keep the structural canes as horizontal as possible. Space the ties every 1 foot along the canes for adequate support.

Fertilize the rose plants after new rose buds develop. Mix a water-soluble nitrogen fertilizer with water according to package recommendations. Pour the fertilizer carefully around the base of the plants.

Clip off the blossoms after they finish blooming to encourage the Don Juan climbing rose to continue to bloom.