Winterizing Your Roses

Winter Kill
Winter kill is caused by extreme cold temperatures - greater than a plant can tolerate. Winter kill susceptibility is often genetic, that is, an individual species or variety is not and never will, be able to survive a Zone 5 winter.

The Basics

Fertilizing
Don’t fertilize your roses after August 15. The new growth will not sufficiently ‘harden off’ in time for winter.

Pruning
Prune roses when the growing season is over, after two or three hard freezes, usually in late October. Cut back any long canes to about 24” tall, reducing wind whip. Remove just enough to bring the plant into balance.

Mulching & Covering
After leaves fall, when the plants are dormant, remove all fallen leaves and spent roses. Once the soil is frozen, apply a layer of organic mulch, 8” to 10” deep, over the crown of your roses. Garden soil, Mushroom Compost, Cypress or Cedar Bark, Shredded Hardwood, pine needles, and straw all work well. Don’t de-mulch or uncover your roses until the spring thaw is in full swing.

A Few Specifics

Miniature Roses
These are inherently hardier. While they don’t require the above protection, it certainly won’t hurt them.

Hybrid Tea, Floribundas, Grandifloras
These types must be protected. Use the methods described above.

Climbing Roses
The most commonly available varieties are very hardy in Central Illinois. Prune only dead or broken canes. Removing healthy wood will eliminate many of next year’s flowers.

Tree Roses
Tree Roses left unprotected during the winter will not survive. The graft, the most vulnerable part of the plant, cannot be left exposed to our winter weather. Leave your Tree rose in a container and move it into a shed or an unheated garage during the winter. Check it for water once a month or so.

If you planted your Tree Rose in the ground, cut the roots around half the plant with a sharp spade. Lay it over into a trench and completely cover (bury) it with 6” of soil. If you don’t have enough room to do this, drive a secure stake in the soil next to the rose. Tie the plant to it. This will keep it from bending and cracking during winter gales. Next, build a cage out of chicken wire around the rose. Fill the cage with straw. Then wrap burlap around the cage and secure with strong twine.

Rugosa Roses
This class needs no protection whatsoever.

Heirloom, Modern, Shrub, English & Romantica Roses
Though generally very hardy, most of these roses are grafted, so it’s a good idea to protect these varieties, especially the first two years after planting. Cut back any long, lanky canes and mulch as you would a Hybrid Tea.