Every February, while the Front Range is still locked in winter, something big happens behind the Rose House doors. Pallets arrive. Boxes stack up. Gloves go on. And our team gets to work on one of the most intense, joyful, and challenging projects of the year: processing and potting more than 5,000 bare‑root roses in time for spring.
Most of our customers only ever see the finished product — rows of leafy, budded roses ready for spring planting. But the journey from dormant bare‑root to retail‑ready plant is a small miracle of timing, teamwork, and horticultural precision. Here’s what really happens behind the scenes.
The Roses Arrive: A Race Against the Clock
Bare‑root roses ship dormant, bundled, and packed tightly in waxed boxes. Inside each box are dozens of bare root roses — from petite floribundas to climbers and tree roses.
The moment they arrive; the clock starts ticking. Each rose must be unpacked, inspected, hydrated, pruned, and potted before their roots dry out.
The Rose House is filled with potting benches, tools, containers and piles of Flower Bin potting soil. Everyone moves with purpose.
Sorting, Tagging, and Quality Checks
Before a single rose touches soil, each one is inspected by hand. This is where our team’s horticultural skills shine.
We check each individual rose for strong, healthy canes, firm, roots, a proper graft union and accurate labeling.
Anything questionable gets set aside for a second look.
Customers trust us for quality — this is where that trust begins.
Hydration: Waking the Roses Up Gently
Bare‑root roses need a long drink before planting. We soak the roots in large hydration tubs, letting them rehydrate slowly and evenly. This step is essential for reducing transplant shock and ensuring strong early growth.
It’s also the moment when the roses start to “wake up.” Bud eyes swell. Canes plump. You can almost feel the season shifting.
Next, each rose is carefully pruned to ensure maximum rooting, once potted.
Potting Day: Controlled Chaos Meets Craftsmanship
This is where the magic — and the muscle — really kick in.
Each rose is placed at the correct depth (graft union just above soil level), centered and stabilized, surrounded by our custom soil blend that balances drainage and moisture retention, firmed in by hand, tagged with variety and care information.
Multiply that activity by more than 5,000, and you get a sense of the scale.
In a marathon of teamwork, soil flies, voices rise and fall, you'll often hear the sound of laughter. Someone inevitably ends up covered in potting soil. It’s glorious!
The Greenhouse Phase: Quiet Growth Before the Rush
Once potted, the roses move into the greenhouse where they’ll spend the next several weeks rooting in. This stage is all about:
Consistent moisture, good air circulation, and careful temperature management. We continuously monitor each rose, assuring adequate hydration and watching for early growth cues.
By the time customers see them in April, they’re leafed out, vigorous, and ready to thrive in Colorado gardens.
Why We Do It: The Heart Behind the Work
Processing 5,000 roses isn’t just a logistical feat — it’s a labor of love. Every rose represents a future garden, a memory waiting to be made, a customer who trusts us.
Our team pours skill, sweat, and joy into this process because we know what these roses become once they leave our greenhouse.
A Final Peek Behind the Curtain
Here’s the part customers rarely see: the camaraderie, teamwork and pride. The way everyone leans in to make sure each rose gets the best possible start. It’s one of the most rewarding projects of our year, and we’re thrilled to share a glimpse of it with you.
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