Winter Rose Care

Winter Pruning

• Winter is the first time to prune roses. Pruning roses in the winter reduces stress from the plant and allows the shrub to harness its energy for the subsequent spring. Seek out dead, dying and diseased branches. Remove them completely from the bush. Trim branches that have broken away from the rest of the plant, making them flush with the other branches. This will increase blooms in the spring.

Mulching

• Mulch heavily around the base of your rose bush. Mulch helps to insulate the roots of the plant and blocks sunlight from reaching the roots. Rose bushes sometimes activate and grow in the winter if the roots receive sunlight or warmth; this is harmful because the cold temperature kills the new growth. The mulch should be 3 inches thick and should be as wide as the plant.

Watering

• Reduce watering sessions in the winter. If your area receives regular precipitation, then once per week manual watering will suffice. Roses are dormant in the winter; the roots do not need as much moisture. Do not fertilize the bush in the winter. Rose bushes, when dormant, have no need for fertilizer. Fertilizing a rose bush in the winter could burn the roots.

Additional Winterizing

• In areas where snow and frost are regular occurrences, more advanced winterizing is needed. Using a piece of yarn or garden string, tie the tips of the rose bushes together, bringing the branches closer in proximity. This helps insulate the bush from harsh winds, snowfall and frost.

Climbing Roses

• Climbing roses need special attention in the winter. Climbing roses are more spread out, making the branches more susceptible to frost. Remove all branches and vines from the trellis or support structure; lay them flat on the ground. Cover the plant completely with at least 4 inches of mulch. As the winter nears an end and risk of severe frost is over, carefully rake back the mulch and position your plant on its trellis.