Hi y'all, I'm new here. I would like to know how deeply roses like to be buried: I know that trees and shrubs should have the root flares exposed, but what about roses? In particular, I would like to know what to do with this 7+ year old shrub (was here when I moved in over 7 years ago), which I guess is some type of climbing rose that has gotten very large; it has one main trunk, about 3 major limbs, and very long skinny branches, and bears small white roses. This rose was sick and not blooming for more than a year, so I'm trying to give it some TLC, and would like to know how the roots would prefer to be treated. Thanks a lot.

Rose bushes have crowns, where the major stems come from. That part should bot be completely buried, but enough of it to stabilize the plant. I know that may not be specific enough but hope it helps.

So the crown would be like the main "trunk" of a rose, right?

If so, I think this clears the issue right up - thanks!!!

The crown is where the main trunks or canes come out of.

I googled "how to plant a rose bush" and here's a better description:

Locate the crown, or bud union, of the rose bush. This is the bump in the trunk between the branches and roots. Arrange the roots of your rose bush around the cone, so that the soil holds the crown of the bush at the right depth. If you live in an area with warm winters, the crown can be at or just above the soil level.

Ooh, this is good! Thanks again Sandi!

I'm unsure if this is taboo or not, but I've had good success with it - I try to plan my rose plantings so that the bud onion is generally 1 inch higher than ground level, after mulching. Again, I'm unsure if this is good or not because most literature advises to plant the onion at or close to ground level, so assume the risk on this advice.