There is nothing quite like the beauty and fragrance of roses
in bloom in mid-summer. These hardy shrubs thrive in a sunny location
with well-drained soil, but when winter approaches they need a little
help from you. Keeping them snug and safe from the ravages of winter
goes a long way toward preserving their beauty and protecting their
health.
Stop fertilizing your roses my the end of August
to discourage the formation of new shoots. Allowing the rose bush to go
dormant is an important step toward providing winter protection. If new
shoots appear in the fall, cut them at the base with a pair of sharp
pruning shears. Young shoots freeze with the first frosts and may stress
the entire plant.
Reduce watering in late summer or early fall to allow the rosebush to enter dormancy. Stan Barrett, Master Gardener from the Colorado State University Extension Services
explains that if rose bushes are allowed to enter dormancy slowly, the
plants cells thicken making them better able to withstand freezing.
Remove dead leaves and garden debris from around your roses
in the fall before the ground freezes. Garden debris harbors both
insects and disease that may overwinter in the garden. Cleaning the
garden now saves time and energy next spring when your roses begin to
grow.
Trim back any long canes that may break in winter storms,
otherwise do not prune your rose at this time. Fall pruning stresses
the rose bush. Leave major pruning until the spring when new growth
appears.
Add winter protection for roses in the late fall just as the soil begins to freeze.
Covering them too early may actually do more harm than good, as it can
hold in heat and interfere with your rose bush entering dormancy
properly, making it more susceptible to winter damage.
Make a cylinder from chicken wire and place it around the rose bush.
Fill the bottom 12 inches with lightweight mulch such as leaves, straw
or peat moss. Heavy soils may choke out oxygen during the winter and
kill your rose bush.
Cover the wire cage with burlap to hold in the mulch and prevent harsh winter winds from damaging the canes. Tie the burlap in place with twine or rope.
For climbing roses,
either lay the vines down and mulch with a lightweight mulch or wrap
them with burlap on the trellis. This prevents breaking from winds or
heavy snow and ice.
Remove the winter covering in the spring once the weather has warmed and gently rake away the mulch.
