Roses are the quintessential flowers of a garden, providing beauty and fragrance throughout the growing season.
However, when the colder months approach, rose lovers often find themselves wondering how to keep their prized plants alive through winter.
Roses, especially hybrid varieties, need some extra care to survive freezing temperatures and come back strong in the spring.
I’ve been growing roses for years, and let me tell you, overwintering them can feel daunting at first.
But with a few practical steps, you can protect your roses from the harsh winter weather and ensure they thrive again next season.
In this guide, I’ll share the methods I’ve learned for successfully overwintering roses, whether you live in a mild climate or deal with bitterly cold winters.
By the end of this, you’ll be prepared to help your roses survive winter and burst into bloom again when the warm weather returns.
Know Your Rose Type
Before you begin preparing your roses for winter, it’s important to understand what type of roses you’re dealing with.
Different types of roses have varying levels of cold hardiness, and knowing this will help you adjust your winter care accordingly.
Hardy roses, such as rugosa roses and many shrub varieties, can survive cold winters with minimal protection.
On the other hand, hybrid tea roses, floribundas, and grandifloras tend to be more vulnerable and need extra attention.
I’ve had both hardy and tender roses in my garden, and I’ve learned that the more delicate varieties require a lot more prep to make it through the winter.
If you’re not sure what type of roses you have, check the plant tag or research the specific variety.
Once you know the type, you’ll have a better idea of how much winter protection your roses will need.
In colder zones (USDA zones 5 and below), you’ll need to take more extensive steps, while those in milder climates might only need to do a little extra mulching.
Stop Fertilizing in Late Summer
One of the first steps to preparing your roses for winter happens in late summer.
To encourage your roses to start winding down for the season, stop fertilizing them in August.
Roses need time to harden off before winter, and fertilizing late into the fall encourages new growth, which is more susceptible to frost damage.
I’ve made the mistake of continuing to fertilize my roses into September, and as a result, I had tender new growth that got hit hard by the first frost.
By stopping fertilization in late summer, you give your roses the signal that it’s time to slow down and get ready for dormancy.
This helps them toughen up for the cold months ahead.
Stop Deadheading in the Fall
Throughout the summer, deadheading (removing spent blooms) encourages roses to produce more flowers.
But as fall approaches, it’s time to stop deadheading.
In October, I stop cutting off spent blooms to allow my roses to form hips (seed pods).
This helps the plants naturally slow down and transition into dormancy for the winter.
I used to deadhead well into the fall, thinking I was helping my roses keep blooming.
But I learned that allowing the rose hips to form is nature’s way of telling the plant to stop focusing on new growth and start conserving energy for the winter.
Letting your roses form hips in the fall is an easy and natural way to help them prepare for the cold season.
Prune Lightly, But Hold Off on Heavy Pruning
When it comes to pruning in the fall, less is more.
I lightly prune my roses in late fall, mainly to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
This helps tidy up the plant and prevents broken branches during the winter months.
However, it’s important not to do any heavy pruning in the fall.
Roses are best pruned in the spring, after the last frost, when they’re ready to start growing again.
I learned this the hard way a few years ago when I pruned my roses too much in the fall.
The open cuts from the heavy pruning didn’t heal properly, leaving the plants vulnerable to cold damage and disease.
Now, I only do light pruning in the fall and save the major trimming for the spring.
Mulch to Protect the Roots
One of the most important steps in overwintering roses is mulching.
Mulch acts like a blanket, protecting the roots from the freezing temperatures and helping to insulate the base of the plant.
In late fall, after the ground has started to cool but before it freezes, I pile up 6-12 inches of mulch around the base of each rose plant.
I’ve found that organic materials like straw, shredded leaves, or pine needles work well for this.
If you live in a particularly cold climate, consider mounding the soil up around the base of your roses as well.
This technique, called “hilling,” provides extra insulation for the crown of the plant.
I’ve had great success with this method in my garden, especially for my more delicate hybrid tea roses.
The key is to make sure the mulch is applied after the ground starts to cool but before the soil freezes solid.
Applying mulch too early can keep the ground too warm, and applying it too late won’t give your roses the insulation they need in time for winter.
Water Deeply Before Winter
Even though winter is approaching, roses still need water.
I always make sure to give my roses a deep watering before the first hard frost hits.
This helps the plant go into winter with sufficient moisture in its root system.
Once the ground freezes, the roots won’t be able to take up water, so it’s important to make sure they’re well-hydrated before that happens.
In late October or early November, depending on the weather, I water my roses deeply.
The goal is to saturate the soil so that the roots can store enough water to survive the winter months.
Just be careful not to water too much or too often during this time, as waterlogged soil can lead to root rot.
Protect the Canes with Burlap or Rose Collars
In colder climates, the canes of your roses (the stems) can suffer from wind and frost damage.
To protect the canes, I like to wrap them with burlap or use rose collars.
Rose collars are simple plastic or wire forms that you place around the plant, which you can then fill with mulch or straw for added insulation.
I remember one particularly cold winter when I didn’t wrap my hybrid tea roses, and the canes were badly damaged by the wind and frost.
Since then, I’ve made it a habit to wrap the canes with burlap in late fall, especially for my more tender varieties.
To do this, I loosely wrap the burlap around the canes, securing it with twine.
You don’t need to make it too tight—just enough to protect the plant from the elements.
If you’re using rose collars, simply place them around the base of the plant and fill them with mulch or straw for extra protection.
Consider Using Rose Cones in Harsh Winters
If you live in an area with particularly harsh winters, rose cones can provide additional protection.
Rose cones are insulated covers that fit over the top of the plant, providing both wind and frost protection.
I’ve used rose cones during a few especially cold winters, and they worked well for my more delicate roses.
However, it’s important to use rose cones correctly.
Make sure the cone has ventilation holes or lift it slightly off the ground to allow for air circulation.
Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up inside the cone, leading to rot or disease.
When using rose cones, I also mound soil around the base of the plant before placing the cone over it for added insulation.
Don’t Forget Potted Roses
If you’re growing roses in containers, they need special attention during the winter months.
Potted roses are more vulnerable to freezing temperatures because their roots are not as insulated as those planted in the ground.
I’ve lost a few potted roses to the cold before I learned how to properly overwinter them.
If you can, move your potted roses to a sheltered location, like an unheated garage, basement, or even a shed.
The goal is to keep them cool but not freezing—ideally, the temperature should stay between 30°F and 40°F.
Make sure to water them sparingly throughout the winter, just enough to keep the soil slightly moist.
If you can’t move your potted roses indoors, wrap the pots in burlap or bubble wrap to insulate the roots.
You can also group the pots together and mulch around them for added protection.
Resist the Urge to Prune in Winter
It can be tempting to prune roses in the winter, especially when they look like they’re in rough shape.
But resist the urge to do any pruning during the cold months.
Pruning during winter can expose the plant to disease and cold damage.
Instead, wait until early spring, after the last frost, to prune your roses.
This will give the plant time to recover from winter and focus on new growth.
Uncovering Your Roses in Spring
As spring approaches and the weather starts to warm, it’s time to start uncovering your roses.
But don’t rush the process—wait until the threat of frost has passed before removing any winter protection.
I’ve uncovered my roses too early before, only to have a late frost damage the new growth.
Once you’re sure the freezing temperatures are behind you, start by gradually removing the mulch from around the base of the plant.
If you’ve used burlap or rose cones, take those off as well, but do it slowly, over a few days, to allow the plant to adjust to the change in temperature.
When the weather warms up, you can begin your regular spring pruning and feeding routine.
Your roses should start showing signs of new growth soon, and before long, they’ll be ready to bloom beautifully once again.
Final Thoughts
Overwintering roses may seem like a daunting task, especially if you live in a colder climate, but with the right preparation, it’s entirely manageable.
By stopping fertilization and deadheading in the fall, mulching to protect the roots, and using burlap or rose collars to insulate the canes, you can help your roses survive even the harshest winters.
Remember to water deeply before the first frost, protect potted roses by moving them to a sheltered location, and resist the temptation to prune until spring.
With a little extra effort in the fall, your roses will reward you with stunning blooms when the warm weather returns.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy healthy, vibrant roses year after year.
Happy gardening!