The thought of losing roses to harsh winter conditions is enough to scare off many people from growing them. But while they may look delicate, the truth is – roses are tough and have a strong will to survive. With the proper winter rose care, they’ll get the beauty rest they need to create gorgeous flushes the following spring season.
Here are our top tips for protecting your roses this winter.
Declutter the Garden
Rake out any dead leaves or debris on the ground surrounding the roses. This will prevent pests and disease such as black spot spores. Plus, it’ll make your spring cleaning much easier! Also remove any dead or diseased leaves from the roses themselves.
Late Summer/Autumn: Put Pruning, Deadheading & Fertilization on Pause
Now is the time to start your roses’ bedtime routine. Pruning, feeding, and deadheading them just before winter is like giving candy to a child at night – you’ll give them an unwanted energy burst. Go ahead and cut back canes that are very long to prevent wind damage, but hold off on a full prune until late winter/early spring. Carrying out any growth-promoting activities just before the dormant stage could disturb your roses from their peaceful slumber.
Exactly when to stop and restart pruning will depend on your zone. Check out the USDA Hardiness Map to figure out which zone you’re located in.
After the First Ground Freeze: Mound the Soil & Mulch
Unfortunately, the weather isn’t always predictable. That’s why it’s important to take measures to protect your roses from freeze-thaw cycles. The amount of protection you should provide will depend, once again, on your zone.
Zones 1-6: In colder climates, add some extra soil to the base of your roses and cover them with a thick layer of mulch. This will protect against frost and provide them with a cozy, insulated environment.
You may be surprised to hear that snow is not your roses’ enemy. Think of it as a blanket that helps to insulate them and provide moisture. Avoid brushing or shaking snow off your roses, as it could break the branches.
Zones 7-13: Warmer climates may not face those same harsh winter challenges, but you should still apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of your roses. This will protect against any potential cold snaps.
The best materials for winter mulch include shredded bark, straw, compost, or leaves.
Winter Rose Coverings
For those extra cold climates, consider equipping your roses with an extra line of defense against the elements by covering them. Here are a few common methods:
- Cover your roses with burlap to help prevent the wind from sucking the moisture out of the branches.Use rose cones to insulate the base of your roses. Poke holes in the rose cones to ensure good air circulation and prevent mold and bacteria from growing.
Late Winter/Early Spring: Restart Pruning & Dormant Spray
With temperatures rising, it’s time to prepare your roses for their spring awakening! The right time for the first full prune can vary from January all the way through May – depending on your zone. Generally, the warmer the climate, the earlier the prune.
While it may sound intimidating, we recommend cutting your roses down to ¾ of their original heights. Think of it like sipping through a straw. It’s more efficient to sip through a short straw in a glass closer to you than a long straw in a glass further from you. In the same way, shorter canes on your rose bushes allow for streamlined nutrient and energy flow. They will thank you with more vibrant, healthier blooms.
A few things to keep in mind while pruning your roses:
- Clean up the area surrounding your rose bush and remove all the leaves to discourage the spread of disease and pests.
- Remove any dead, dying, diseased, or crossing canes.
- Cut at a 45-degree angle to allow water to run off the stem. This will reduce the risk of disease from excessive moisture.
- Cut about a half an inch above an outward-facing bud. This will encourage outward growth for better air circulation and a desirable shape.
After the first prune is complete, nip any overwintering pests or diseases in the bud by dormant spraying your roses. You can use horticultural oil, lime sulphur, or copper-based sprays. This is an important step to make sure those insects and spores aren’t a problem for you later in the active season.
Use protection when spraying! We recommend wearing gloves and a mask, especially if you’re spraying more than just a few bushes.
Winter Watering
Your roses will need less water during the winter months. But even without the heat, it’s important to keep them hydrated. Never let the soil dry out completely. If you’re having a particularly dry winter, a light watering once every week or 2 will do. If you’re in a rainier winter climate, Mother Nature will do the job for you.
Winterizing Roses in Pots
To put your potted roses to bed and have them wake up refreshed for next season, you’ll want to do a few things to shield them from nature’s forces:
- Move your potted roses to a shed or unheated garage. If you don’t have either of these, place them against the wall of your house. Avoid bringing them inside the house.
- Clean up any moss or weeds from the pot and snip off the leaves. You don’t want to deal with a mess come springtime.
- Add a layer of mulch for insulation.
- If your roses need to stay where they are, wrap them up in burlap, bubble wrap, or a blanket.
- Give your potted roses a light watering about once every 2 weeks to make sure the soil doesn’t dry out.
It’s always a little sad to say goodnight to our roses for the winter, but it makes the arrival of springtime all the more exciting. We love seeing them return looking healthy and rejuvenated. After putting these tips for winter rose care into practice, your roses are sure to make a strong comeback next spring.
For more tips and tricks to make your roses thrive all year long, visit resources