Hi Julia,

I adore David Austin roses (and have about 20 of them) LOL I also have heavy clay soil. What I did was to dig holes big enough to hold the roses (about the size of a good sized pail)and fill it with a mixture of one third good topsoil, one third peat moss and one third composted manure.

I am assuming the roses came "bare root". If that is the case, they will keep in cold water in the garage for up to two weeks.


When I transplant them, I can tell the roots have extended into the heavy clay... but that base of good soil is enough to keep them thriving.

Good luck with them. You will adore taking photographs. One Heritage rose bush can have hundreds of blooms at one time.

Mary Kate (the rose lover)