planting roses

[smithp]

Is it true you cant plant a new rose where roses have been planted prior ?

[Clanad]

Well, you can, but as with any plantings in previously planted areas, you run the risk of inheriting diseases, especially fungally caused Black Spot, left by the previous residents.
I have about 50 or 60 roses, and due to our harsh winters here in the western U.S., I loose about 4 or 5 on average, I've replanred with replacements the following spring, but I've always treated the soil (as I do all the roses) with a product called Dormant Oil, and have had only rare instances of Black Spot or it's kin...

[Clanad]

...Or lose, as the case may be...

[shylock73]

Give your soil a soaking with Jeyes Fluid. Follow the instructions on the tin, or transport new soil to the area.

[willow66]

As Shylock73 says use Jeyes Fluid. Most of the large Rose growing nurseries treat their growing fields with it prior to transplanting their stock. However, be very careful with the strength. If you over do it you could damage your soil.
Once you've done that you could prepare the ground by incorporating some well rotted farm yard manure or other organic matter.
Then try this one: Dig up some soil from a border in the garden that has NEVER had roses grown in it. Use this soil to fill cardboard wine boxes (the ones that you can pick up free at the bottom of the conveyor belt at the super market). Then plant your new rose into the soil in the box. Introduce the planted wine box into your prepared border. Over time the cardboard breaks down within the soil yet has provided a separation between the old and the new soils. In this time the new rose has had the ability to establish a healthy root network before in comes into contact with the questionable soil.