Question
I live in Northern KY, actually just outside of Cincinnati, OH (I think I am in zone 6a) and was wondering when is the "best" time to transplant a climbing rose? I am unsure of the type of climber, but it produces 4-6inch pink blooms. I recently had a family member pass away, and would like to move the climber from her yard to my own as a memorial for her. Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,
Eric

Answer
The general rule in transplanting any rose, is to move it when it is not actively growing. That is usually in the  early spring or the late fall. Because your area starts to warm up in March, best to move it as soon as possible. Cut the rose down to about 3 feet and remove all the leaves, both old ones and new ones as that will make the rose go dormant for a few days. Have the new hole ready so you can plant as soon as the rose gets there. Dig up as much of the roots as you can bearing in mind that the very long tap roots are mainly anchors and it is difficult not to break them but that will be okay and not hurt the rose. Place the rose in a garbage bag  with wet newspaper wrapped all around the roots. Tie the bag up tight around the base of the canes. If the rose has many thorns, warp it up with a bath towel or any other material to save yourself from being torn by the canes. Sprinkle about one cup of bone meal in the bottom of the new hole and then plant. DON'T fertilize, as the roots will not be able to take up any nutrients until new feeder roots have been grown. It is impossible not to damage the tiny frail feeder roots when you transplant a rose. Place some sort of  mulch all around the climber to keep the roots cool and damp and this will encourage new roots to grow quicker. The secret to keeping a transplanted rose alive, is to make sure it never dries out the first few months. So water daily to keep the soil damp but not soaking wet. Because it is an old rose, it may not do anything until the late summer. Don't give up just keep watering and it will come back. It is a good idea when a rose is a very important one, to take cuttings as this will ensure you will have the rose if by some chance it dies in  a hot summer. Cut about twelve 8 inch canes from the ends of canes that have bloomed last year and follow the instructions on this website. Good luck.
http://scvrs.homestead.com/Cuttings1.html