How to protect your roses from the winter weather

Winter can be harsh, so with the arrival of autumn, responsible gardeners begin preparing the tender plants in the garden for the cold. There are many varieties of roses that can survive cold and frost without any problems – shrub varieties like “David Austin”, for example, are quite hardy. But hybrid roses – especially hybrid tea roses – are much more delicate and require special care to survive this time of year. Read on for some important tips on how to winterize your roses.

Read our tips on how to winterize your roses

Help your roses survive the winter so they will look just as beautiful in spring

When to winterize roses?

Most roses can withstand rapid cooling to temperatures down to -12 degrees C. However, it is best to protect them when nighttime temperatures fall below -6 degrees C for an extended period. The level of protection the roses need depends on the climate in which you live. However, the best time to do this is the autumn months, before temperatures drop to below zero – usually from November onwards.

Prepare your roses for winter

Should you prune roses before winter?

Pruning roses in the fall is optional. In general, it is best to prune roses in spring. But in the fall you can remove all broken stems. Some gardeners like to cut their rose bushes back to a height of 45 to 60 cm in the fall to prevent wind and snow damage. They also remove the leaves because the weight of the snow can cause the stems to break.

Additionally, be sure to clean up and remove any fallen leaves around bushes to prevent roses from overwintering diseases and insects near your vulnerable plants. If the leaves in question are healthy at the time of cleaning, you can compost them to use as mulch later. However, if you have had a fungal problem (e.g. black spots) or an insect infestation, you should discard the leaves and permanently remove them from your garden.

Pruning in the fall is not absolutely necessary

How do I winterize my roses?

What preparations you need to make for winter depends on the lowest temperatures in your area and the type of roses you have in your garden. This is what to do:

#Do not cut the last flowers

To prevent the formation of tender new shoots that are extremely susceptible to winter damage as colder weather sets in, stop fertilizing and pruning your roses around the end of August. Instead of picking the flowers from the bush, allow them to mature into rose hips (also known as rose seed pods). As a result, the rose bush begins to enter a state of dormancy, which is very important for successful wintering.

This is how you can winterize roses

#Keep shrubs well watered

By giving the rose bush a good soak before winter, you can ensure that it can quench its own thirst during winter dormancy. Water the soil around your rose bushes liberally after the first frost.

#Protect the processing center

Another way to protect your beautiful rose bushes from the cold is to spread 6 to 12 inches of compost around the crown of the plant after a few hard frosts have passed. Typically the grafting site is found at or just below the soil surface and is often marked by a knot scar or line. If you expect a mild winter, you can also surround the rose with wire mesh or a fence and fill the cage with leaves or mulch. This way she stays protected from the cold.

#When does the protective mulch have to be removed?

As spring weather approaches, remove the protective mulch as it can rot due to increased humidity and temperature if left for too long. It’s also a perfect hiding place for insects and voles, both of which can affect your plant’s chances of success. Therefore, do not ignore this right step.

Follow these tips to protect your roses from winter damage

Winterize climbing roses

Climbing roses are particularly vulnerable during the cold months and can be damaged by the strong, dry winds of winter. To protect the canes of your climbing plants, wrap them together by rolling straw around the outside for insulation. You can also remove the poles from the pergolas or support structures entirely. If you do this, place them on the ground after removing them, then tie their canes together and secure them to the ground with landscape pegs. Finally, cover them with a layer of mulch to protect them.

Additionally, if temperatures drop below -5 degrees C, you should cover your roses