A Rose is a Rose. . . Even in Winter

Protecting roses can be as simple as setting potted roses in a cold garage or as complicated as removing climbers, bundling them in burlap, laying them in a trench then covering them with several inches of soil and mulch.

Rose Collection
Item # 99522 		Cold Hardy Shrub Rose Collection

each $36.96
  • Topic: Roses
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: rose, shrubs, winter, Shrubs, roses
  • Date: November 2002

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Several years ago I vacationed with a friend in Nova Scotia. One day we visited a large botanical garden, and much to our delight discovered a maze made entirely of rose bushes. She went one way, I another and there we were: two middle-aged women hiding and dodging each other, laughing like kids. I’ll never forget the incredible fragrance lifting from those roses.

I’ll also never forget the size of the woodpiles next to the houses. Nova Scotia doesn’t have mild winters, and I remember wondering what happened to those roses during those long blustery months. Since then, I’ve learned that protecting roses can be as simple as setting potted roses in a cold garage or as complicated as removing climbers, bundling them in burlap, laying them in a trench then covering them with several inches of soil and mulch.

Many modern roses are prone to winter damage at temperatures below 0 degree F, so some protection is required, especially in our climate with dry winds. But precautions don’t need to be complicated.

In fall the formation of rose hips tells the plant that its growth cycle is complete. Pruning and de-budding are stopped at this time because both encourage new cane growth. Then after the leaves drop, from late October to mid-November, fertilize with mixes low in nitrogen, as nitrogen also encourages growth. We recommend using Gro-Power and Earth Safe Organics, a specialized rose food.

Where roses tend to develop a lack of iron, and to encourage greater resistance to winter damage, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Greensand to each bush. Work fertilizer lightly into the top of the soil, mulch and water thoroughly.

As plants go dormant, cut back waterings to once a week, or every ten days in heavy clay soils. After several hard frosts, cut back to once a month watering on established standard-sized roses; and once every two weeks on newly planted and miniature roses. New roses will also benefit from a layer of bark chips three to four inches deep that covers the root zone. Water deeply every time you water. Continue this schedule through winter.

Roses are divided into two basic groupings: hardy and non-hardy. Hardy include most shrub roses and non-hardy include all grafted roses as well as a few shrub varieties. All hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, polyanthas and many climbers are non-hardy grafted roses that require good winter protection.

Since canes are susceptible to wind, it’s wise to place roses out of windy spots. For new roses, an added windbreak helps during the first winter. You can also reduce breakage by cutting tall canes back to 30 to 36 inches and tying the tips together.

Hill soil over the center of the plants in broad rounded mounds at least 12 inches high and 12 inches wide. Cover the soil mounds with a mulch of leaves, straw and boughs. Or instead of soil, mound with wood chips, sawdust, shredded hardwood, or pine bark. Mound to 15 to 18 inches. Some gardeners prefer to construct wire mesh cylinders to surround each plant, which they fill with mulch.

In sunny spots cover roses with evergreen boughs after the soil freezes. This helps shade the soil and keeps plants dormant. Rose cones are discouraged as they can heat up too much with our winter sun and bring plants out early.

When winter conditions subside, remove most of the mulch from around the base of plants. But leave a 2-inch layer of mulch in the bed.

For every different type of rose available, there is probably a gardener with a different approach to rose care. No matter what method is used—or how complicated you want to make it—the roses will thank you the following summer. And hopefully their fragrance will rise as wonderfully as it did from that maze of roses I remember so well in Nova Scotia.