While some roses can grow just about anywhere, they need some extra care in climates that experience regular winter freezes. Because freezing damages the delicate cells in the foliage, canes and roots, roses need to be insulated from the severe temperatures to keep blooming beautifully season after season.
Cold-hardy species and variety roses may require limited protection in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 – just mulch the plant and surrounding soil to prevent freeze-thaw cycles that can damage roots.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/Marc Legg
Gardeners living in USDA hardiness zones 6-7, with minimum temperatures between -10 and 10 degrees F, should allow the last blooms of fall to develop into hips and remain on the plants, fortifying the roses for winter. With the first frost, mound loose soil over the bud union and lower canes, then mulch heavily with straw. Cover the mound with burlap and tie it into place to help resist winter winds. If snow persists, mound it over the plant. Avoid pruning in fall – roses need all their canes to provide nutrients and help the plant survive.
Gardeners living in zones 1-5, with temperatures that drop below -10 degrees F (and lower), need to take extra measures to help many of their roses survive. A good place to start is by only selecting frost-hardy varieties for your garden. Follow the pictures and captions at the end of this article for specific steps on preparing your roses for the cold season.
While helping roses survive a severe winter climate requires extra care, it’s not difficult to do. And when warmer weather returns and you remove the protective insulation, tip your plants upright and watch your roses rebloom, the beauty that springs forth will make all that additional care you took worthwhile.
Shrub Rose Winterizing
If you live in Zone 4 and above, take the following steps to help your shrub roses survive cold winters:
Shrub Rose Winterizing - Step 1
Allow plants to develop hips by leaving the last blooms on the rose, and avoid pruning after the last bloom.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Shrub Rose Winterizing - Step 2
Mulch shrub roses heavily with straw or cypress mulch. (If you live in Zone 5 or higher, you can stop here.)
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Shrub Rose Winterizing - Step 3
If you live in zones 1-4, wrap your plant in burlap and securely tie the covering in place.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Severe Winter Rose Winterizing
If you live in zones 1-4, or if you have a less hardy tree rose, you can protect them by following this next set of steps:
Severe Winter Rose Winterizing - Step 1
Gently free half the root ball at the base of the rose, taking care to avoid damaging major roots
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Severe Winter Rose Winterizing - Step 2
Apply wood chips to the soil to make a bed. Tip the rose toward its still-rooted side, laying it flat on the ground. Stake or peg it into place.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Severe Winter Rose Winterizing - Step 3
Layer 12-18 inches of wood chips over the rose and cover it all with burlap. Add 12 inches of straw to insulate, then cover the mound with loose soil.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
