| Taking basic precautions to protect your roses in | | | | Strip off most of the foliage and tie the stems or |
| winter is important for sustaining a garden. If you | | | | canes together with a loose but secure rope or |
| live in a temperate climate, the work will be | | | | cord. The plant will be tipped over on its side in a |
| different than the steps needed for very cold | | | | hole long and wide enough to hold the plant. Cover |
| winter areas. | | | | the trench and the plant with soil. Miniature rose |
| Do a little research before purchasing your first | | | | plants are small enough to be 'buried' under a |
| plant for a successful garden. Check out the US | | | | layer of mounded soil with a second covering of |
| National Arboretum's website or contact your local | | | | mulch. |
| garden supply store to determine your climate | | | | 2. Protect the plant by building a cage to place |
| zone. Zone 10 is the warmest zone, and Zones 4 | | | | around it. Build a mesh or wooden cage large |
| and below representing the coldest zones. Ask a | | | | enough to fit over the plant, fill the empty space |
| local garden expert to help with determining what | | | | with mulch, shredded leaves or straw. Secure the |
| plants will work best for your area. | | | | cage in the ground so it can't be blown off. Then |
| As the warmest of climates, Zones 9 and 10 | | | | cover with a plastic bag or sheet. |
| rarely have frosts so winter preparation is simpler. | | | | 3. For severe temperatures you might consider |
| Winterizing roses is still important - though not as | | | | transplanting roses. Find a location which offers |
| extensively. Plants still need to shut down | | | | protection from the cold, sunlight is not necessary |
| production and damaged leaves should be | | | | for wintering roses. After moving the plants pull |
| removed to eliminate fungal and pest attacks. | | | | off foliage and treat for bugs or fungus if needed. |
| Feed plants with a light fertilizing mix in November | | | | Climbing or rambling roses and plants with long |
| for a December flowering. Then prune for the | | | | stems need more specialized protection when |
| winter. | | | | overwintering. Pull stems together and wrap them |
| There are short bouts of freezing temperatures | | | | up, anchor climbing roses. Then wrap the whole |
| in Zones 7 and 8. Around the middle of | | | | plant with straw before covering with plastic or |
| November, after the second frost plants should | | | | heavy cloth. |
| be prepared for winter. Roses should be | | | | If temperatures drop below 10 degrees |
| deadheaded and the plant base covered with 2 to | | | | Fahrenheit, roses may not survive; burying or |
| 3 inches of mulch. | | | | transplanting offers the best protection against |
| Winter temperatures can be severe in Zones 5 | | | | extreme cold. For a plant to survive winter, a |
| and 6, requiring extensive wintering for roses. If | | | | summer of good care increases its chances. |
| plants were selected as hardy winter roses, follow | | | | Follow recommended procedures for feeding and |
| the above guidelines for Zones 7 and 8. | | | | pruning plants, minimize pest control, and your |
| Protect roses from extreme cold by using one of | | | | garden will have a good chance of enduring the |
| the following procedures: | | | | winter climate. |
| 1. The rose is partially dug up and then buried. | | | | |