Winterizing your roses is essential to ensure they survive the colder months and thrive come spring.

Here are some easy tips to help protect your roses from the winter chill and make sure they come back stronger in the warmer months.

Winterizing Roses: Key Steps for Success

Preparing roses for winter depends on your local climate and the specific variety of roses in your garden. However, one thing remains constant: watering them well in the fall before the ground freezes will give them a better chance to handle the cold.

How to Winterize Roses in Cold Climates

In regions where winters are mild, but the ground still freezes (such as Hardiness Zones 6 and above), follow these steps to protect your roses from the winter elements.

Let the Roses Prepare Naturally

As fall sets in, stop cutting your roses, allowing them to form hips (seedpods) naturally. This helps the plant prepare for winter. If you remove the hips while temperatures are still warm, the plant may try to produce tender new growth that could be damaged by early frost.

Protect Newly Planted Roses

After the first frost, when nighttime temperatures dip into the 20s, protect newly planted roses from freezing and thawing cycles. Pile soil over the base of the plants, covering the bud union (where the graft is) and up to a foot of the plant. Use fresh topsoil or compost for the mound, and top it with dry, shredded leaves or bark chips.

Prune Long Canes

Trim overly long canes on bush-type roses to reduce the risk of wind damage. Cut them back to about a third of their length, making the cuts just above outward-facing buds. Expect some winter damage (when cold weather harms stems), and remove the dead canes in early spring—they will look brown, not green.

Spring Cleanup

In the spring, remove the protective layers of leaves and bark, and spread them around the garden for added mulch.

Protecting Roses in Extra-Cold Climates

In northern regions where winters bring sub-zero temperatures and harsh winds, more extreme measures may be necessary to protect your roses from severe cold.

Cut Back and Prepare the Rose

After the first frost, remove any remaining leaves and trim the stems back to three to five of the thickest, healthiest ones, about a foot tall.

Dig a Trench for Protection

Dig a trench large enough to contain the entire plant. Gently loosen the roots using a garden fork, and then tip the plant onto its side, placing it in the trench.

Cover with Soil and Leaves

Cover the rose with soil and pile a 2-inch layer of shredded leaves on top to protect the plant from freezing temperatures.

Spring Replanting

In early spring, carefully uncover the rose and replant it in the garden.

Winter Protection for Tree Roses

Tree roses are different from regular roses because their graft union is higher off the ground. To protect them during winter, follow these steps:

Protect in Mild-Winter Areas

In regions with mild winters, pile straw around the base of a tree rose for insulation. For colder areas, use soil instead of straw to provide better protection.

Enclose the Tree with Burlap

Place a framework of wooden stakes around the tree, then wrap the tree with burlap, securing it with twine or wire.

Fill with Insulating Material

Fill the enclosure with dry leaves or straw. In very cold climates, treat tree roses as you would other roses and bury them in trenches.

Winter Protection for Container Roses

For container roses, the key to survival is shelter. Move the containers to a sheltered location, such as an unheated garage or the south side of your home. In extremely cold regions, place the container in a roomy cardboard box, packing it with shredded newspaper or dry leaves, and surround it with bales of hay for extra insulation.

Plan Early for Winter Protection

Protecting your roses from the freezing and thawing cycles of winter requires early planning. With these steps, you'll ensure your roses remain strong and ready to bloom when spring arrives.