Winter Rose Care

In order for your roses to perform well all year, you need to make sure that you give them adequate attention during winter. This is especially true in zones that are below 7, where the weather is likely to be more challenging during this time of year. If your garden contains hybrid roses you really need to make sure that you provide them with some extra attention because they are not as hardy as other types of roses such as shrub roses.

First of all, make sure that you stop pruning roses toward the end of August. You should also stop pruning your roses around this same time to prevent new growth that might be more tender and less likely to survive during the coming winter months. Even if you live in zones 7 and 8, make sure you adhere to this rule as well.

Make sure that you thoroughly water the soil around your roses following the first frost. This will allow the rose bush to fend for itself after the ground has frozen.

It’s also a good idea to remove leaves that have fallen to the ground. This will prevent insects from settling in over the winter as well as plant disease.

You should also make a point to apply compost around the bottom of your rose bush to protect the roots. This should be done after there have been a couple of hard freezes, not before. Use between six and twelve inches of compost.

If you live in an area that is prone to hard, frequent winds you need to be especially careful of your climbing roses. Take the time to wrap the cane together. You can use something as simple as straw, which will provide excellent insulation. Another technique would be to completely remove them from their support system and place them on the ground. If you do this; however, make sure you tie them together and secure them with landscaping pins and then cover with a protective layer of compost.

If you live in zones above 6 don’t think that you can slack off with the care of your roses because there is still a possibility that you’ll have a freeze and occasionally snow. While you don’t need to provide as much compost, it is a good idea to place some leaves around the base for mulch.

For rose growers living in zones 9 and upward, keep in mind that while you won’t have the freezing temperatures, you do have other problems with which to contend. Watch for fungal diseases that tend to develop in wet weather and be sure to give your roses a light dose of food around November.

 
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