A rose in winter needs attention so it can delight us with perfect blooms in late spring and summer. Rose winter pruning is vital for an abundance of beautiful blooms and there’s an increasing trend to give them more protection.
Winter is rough on roses. A rose in winter may go through extremely low temperatures and even an occasional thaw, so needs to be cared for to survive until spring.
To protect the plant, rose winter care should include pruning and wrapping of the bush among other tasks.
English roses are by nature tolerant of the weather and for the most part will cope with wintry weather without too much fuss.
And despite their delicate petals, the care needed for a rose in winter may be more related to their thorns. Most rose bushes need some winter chilling to perform well and can withstand brief periods of cold down to 10°F.
The first two things that need to be accomplished to help rose bushes through the winter months are the ending of pruning and fertilising. Do not fertilise your roses into September There is no longer need for them to grow, and the plant will be heading into a period of dormancy. Any major pruning should also be completed by the end of August, however, there are some caveats.
Trimming roses for winter
Pruning roses back in the late summer to autumn is a rather contentious subject. There are various camps with differing opinions. For the most part any big pruning should be done before the end of August, however, bushes, especially those with long canes that can get damaged during winter weather, can be pruned out up until early winter.
Do not prune heavily. A heavy prune might mean the loss of the entire plant. Only remove the top third of a rose to reduce potential winter damage. Finish the pruning in the spring when the roses are still dormant but the chance of a hard frost for your area is over.
If the canes on your rose are extremely long, prune the plant down to 18-24-inch healthy canes. Cut less off tea roses in the autumn and instead wait until spring to prune heavily.
Do you really need to cover roses in winter?
Most roses are amazingly winter hardy but some such as climbing tea and hybrids need extra attention by covering them. There are a few different methods for covering roses in winter. Increasing research shows that protecting roses in some way will have an impact on the quality of the summer blooms.
Some mound 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) of soil around the base of tender hybrid tea floribunda, grandiflora roses or others that have experienced damage in past winters. To mound properly, take care to cover the bud union on grafted plants.
Another way to cover roses is to make a ring around the bushes with chicken wire or stakes and fill it with dry leaves or straw.
A styrofoam rose cone can also be used. After pruning, mound six to eight inches (15-20 cm) of soil around the base of the plant and then place the cone over the rose, securing it with stakes or staples. Be sure to make some slits in the cone to account for air circulation.
Caring for winter roses Q&A
What do you do with roses in the winter?
Before your first frost, prune roses in containers to 18 to 24 inches high . Remove dead or damaged canes and diseased leaves. Put the containers in an unheated shed or garage or a sheltered spot on the south side of your house. Water just enough to keep the soil from drying out.
How cold is too cold for rose?
Most roses can withstand a quick cold snap of temperatures down to 10°F, but it is best to protect them if you expect an extended period when temperatures dip under 20°F.
Do roses lose leaves in winter?
Roses lose their leaves after the first few frosts precede winter. Some varieties will maintain their leaves or, if the plant is growing in a temperate climate, it may hang onto its foliage.
What happens to roses when they freeze?
If we end up getting a freeze or snowing, that kind of temperature will kill off new growths or buds anyway This is why you don’t want to encourage new growth/flowers during this time. If the new growths or buds are already there, just leave them be. Mother nature will take care of it.
Can roses remain in pots over winter?
Roses grown in pots and other containers should be prepared and protected before your garden experiences the first frost.
Pruning the canes back to 18 to 24 inches and removing any damaged or diseased foliage will prepare your plants to go dormant for the winter and make storing them easier.
How many years does a rose bush live?
Many of the modern roses will only live ten years and more unless given exceptional care. Some species and climbing roses will live for 50 years.
How do you rejuvenate an old rose bush?
With very old bush and shrub roses the best method is to risk all and prune hard. Cut the main branches back to within 15-20 cm of the ground. Remove any dead stumps. Water, feed and mulch and, trust me, it will push out new growths.
