How to Grow a Rose Bush from Cuttings: A Dublin Gardener’s Guide

There’s something deeply satisfying about growing new roses from cuttings taken from a plant you already love. Whether it’s a fragrant climber that’s been in your garden for years or a beautiful shrub rose, propagating your own plants is a wonderful way to expand your collection.

While roses can be a little particular, taking softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, or semi-hardwood ones in late summer or early autumn is most reliable way to grow new plants — and it might be easier than you think.

How to Take Rose Cuttings in 4 Simple Steps

Taking softwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings gives you the best chance of success. Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Choose the Right Stem

Select a healthy, disease-free stem that has recently finished flowering. Look for stems that are firm but still flexible — not too woody and not too soft. This is usually found on this year’s growth.

2. Make the Cut

Using clean, sharp secateurs, cut the length of a stem around 6 to 8 inches long. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node (the small bump where leaves grow). This angled cut helps the stem take up water more easily. 

3. Prepare the Cutting

Remove the lower leaves and the faded flower head. Leave just one or two sets of leaves at the top. This reduces moisture loss while the cutting focuses its energy on growing roots. Remove the thorns too, especially the brown ones so that they don’t rot in the soil.

4. Plant the Cutting

Dip the bottom end of the cutting into rooting hormone powder. Fill a small pot with well-drained compost and make a whole in the compost with a pencil and gently insert the cutting so that about half of it is buried. Firm the compost gently around the stem.

The Secret to Successful Rooting in Dublin

Rose cuttings need a well-drained compost for successful rooting. You can make your own mix using 50% multipurpose compost and 50% horticultural grit or Perlite.

You can plant several cuttings in one larger pot. Plant your cuttings closer to the side of the pot where drainage is best. Indeed, the compost in the center of the pot is always a bit soggier. After planting, water gently and place the pot in a sheltered spot with bright, indirect light. A cold frame, greenhouse, or even a bright windowsill works well. It can stay in this pot until the following spring.

Aftercare: Helping Your Cuttings Establish

New rose cuttings need consistent care in their first few months. Keep the compost moist but never waterlogged. In Dublin’s wet autumn weather, it’s often better to keep them under cover to prevent rotting.

By early spring, you should start to see new growth. Once the cuttings have developed a good root system, they can be planted out into the garden or moved into larger pots.

Plant them in John Innes no.3, a soil-based compost for mature plants. You can add, at this stage, Root Grow to help the plant to be established faster. Roses are hungry plants, do not forget to feed them either with a granule fertilizer (frequency depends on the brand) or a liquid one every 2 weeks (this is the best option for plants in pots).

Beautiful Rose Varieties Worth Growing

If you’re thinking of adding new roses to your garden before taking cuttings next year, here are some of our favourites that perform well in Irish conditions:

●      Rosa Iceberg — A beautiful floribunda rose with semi-double white flowers to add timeless elegance to any garden. Excellent for borders and cutting, it also can be found in a climbing form.

●      Rosa Korresia — Another stunning floribunda rose with radiant yellow blooms throughout the Summer.  Highly regarded for its beauty and reliability.

●      Rosa Strawberry Hill — A climbing rose from David Austin with large mid pink flowers boasting of a strong fragrance. (NB: Many of the David Austin roses are patented and their reproduction is therefore illegal.)

Newly propagated roses will grow stronger when surrounded by plants that support them. One of the best companions for roses is lavender. Not only does it look beautiful next to pink and red blooms, but it also attracts bees and beneficial insects while helping to deter aphids. Equally, nasturtium planted at the base will attract the blackfly, leaving your roses unarmed.

Ground covers like the ‘Snow in Summer’ (Cerastium Tomentosum) or the Helianthemum help to keep the soil fresh, preventing the moisture evaporation. The latter is also evergreen and will help to bring life to the garden when the rose is bare.

Try planting English lavender or any fragrant lavender variety near your roses. Their aromatic foliage adds lovely contrast and helps create a healthier, more balanced garden ecosystem.

Final Thoughts

Growing roses from cuttings is a rewarding process that becomes easier with practice. With a little patience and the right conditions, you can enjoy beautiful new rose bushes that carry the same character as the ones already thriving in your garden.

At Windyridge Garden Centre, we stock a wide selection of roses, including climbers and fragrant varieties, along with high-quality composts like John Innes No. 3 and a beautiful range of lavender plants to help your roses flourish.

If you’d like advice on choosing the right roses for your garden or help with propagation, feel free to pop in and speak with our team — we’re always happy to help.