The more rootball you can get the better. The key thing is to reduce the top growth (above ground) by the amount of root system you lose. For example, if you get only half of the root system, prune off 1/2 of the top growth. If you get 3/4 of the root system, prune off 1/4 of the top growth. This way you are not stressing the plant so much. Another thing: try not to do the move during a spell of very hot weather. Extreme heat will further stress the plant. If you have a patio umbrella to shade them for a few days after the move, that would help. Another thing: keep the moved rose well watered, especially for the first few weeks. Now, don't overdo it and drown them, but make sure the soil is moist at all times.

I have one in a pot that is doing great. I'd send you cuttings too, of Little White Lies, Golden Century, Softie, and Simon Robinson.

You are in a pretty warm zone. Here is my Rosette Delizy - the pic does not show the bottom 18 inches of the bush. It is 8-9 feet tall and 7 feet wide. Is that what you had in mind? Don't get me wrong - I love this rose. Its growth is more vertical than my other teas, but it does get big, as you can see. What dimensions would work in the space you are talking about? I think you should get advice from someone who lives in the same climate you do re how big certain roses get - the info on data bases and in books is almost always wrong for warm climates. Re the existing soil, I would not worry about it - do what vaporvac says. I had 3 very old (over 100 yrs) very large tea roses in a row which all died within 6 months of each other. After the area was cleared, we planted 6 new baby roses in the exact same spots, and they all did and are doing very well. would make sure, however, that your "baby" rose is at least a year old before you plant it - you can grow it in a pot for that long. Re Lafter, I would definitely cut it back before digging it up - makes everything so much easier on you, makes the rose way more likely to survive the move, and will encourage it to put out a lot of nice new growth after it gets settled (do NOT fertilize it until you see new growth, which might take a month or two, as it will be growing new roots first). Jackie

Thanks guys 😊 I am really happy they're doing so well. I had a look at the above and beyond rose, and you may be right! They do look very similar. Just on a completely different tangent, I ordered a 'Gertrude Jekyll' David Austin bare root online back in April or May (I'm English, living in Canada, so of course I needed to get Britain's number one voted rose for my garden 🌹😍) , and unfortunately it was delivered late (it came from Texas all the way to BC, in very good condition), arriving on June 7th, which is when I planted it. Well, little over a month later it has its first buds!! I am becoming constantly amazed how hardy and resilient these amazing plants are 😊👏👍