Protection is very important for all tender roses in this area. Tender roses include the popular hybrid teas, floribundas and grandiflora types. One of the most important considerations in preparing roses for winter is moisture. Be sure that your roses are soaked down well before the ground freezes. Roses must have protection from the severe winter temperatures as well as extreme fluctuation in air temperature.

During late October or early November shorten the stems to 12-18 inches. Roses can either be covered using cones or with a mulch such as dry leaves, wood shavings, vermiculite or sand. If rose cones are used, soil must be placed around the base of the cone to hold it in place during our long windy winters. I have used cones to protect my roses, but have had only limited success. As added insurance fill the inside of the cone with dry leaves.

When using an organic mulch, mound the rose plants 10-12 inches high using whatever method available to keep the mulch in place. Branches or chicken wire may be used. You may want to top the mound with prairie hay or branches to help hole snow. Another method of mounding I've used is to collect bags of dry leaves and pack them around and over the cut back rose plants to provide winter protection. Leave the mound intact until mid-April when you may take it off in stages. When the protection is finally removed in the spring, finish pruning by removing all dead wood (dark and discolored) as well as injured or small weak stems.

This page was last updated May 2003

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