Winter Rose Bushes
How to help your rose to get through a hard winter

Winter protection of roses is two fold:  

1)  Protecting the plant from dying, and

2)  Protecting the canes from damage.  Do not winterize until the ground is frozen or you have 2 good freezes.

“Winterizing” your roses:

1)  The crown or bud union must be planted below ground; two inches is sufficient to prevent winter damage.  The plant should not die if this is done unless one of the following occurs.

     a) Saturated soils will cause the roots to rot - you need good drainage

     b) If the Ph of the soil is below 5.8, the plant can't take up needed nutrients to protect itself from a harsh winter.

     c) Tree roots that permeate the soil will take up the nutrients during the growing season leaving plants weak.

2)  Protecting canes is a matter of keeping off the wind-chill and preventing the freezing and thawing of the canes.  Use burlap or cardboard or a similar material as a wind and sun barrier.

3)  Mulching the soil with two inches of a wood product (hardwood bark) will prevent too early spring growth.  Should late frosts or freezes kill new spring growth, the plant will not have sufficient energy to send out new stems and leaves.  Don't let this happen.  Cover with cardboard boxes to prevent damage.

Peace & Blessings,

Monty