How to Take Tree Roses Inside for Winter

Roses are bright, traditional bushes in home landscapes, with a range of colorful blooms and lush foliage. Tree roses produce the same foliage and flowers, but grow as 5- to 6-foot trees via careful grafting. Tree roses follow typical rose rules in regard to growing needs and hardiness, and require protection during winter. If you live in an area with cold winters, keep your tree roses in pots so you can take them indoors until spring.

Things You'll Need

Pruning shears
Watering can

Organic compost
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Leave the roses outside through two to three hard frosts to encourage winter dormancy, then prune the trees to clean up old foliage. Cut off spent blooms, dead foliage, and brittle wood. This cleanup makes the move easier and discourages fungus.
- 2
  Move the tree roses indoors to spots with full natural or artificial light and temperatures of 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the plants in a bright garage or shed, if the structure stays warm enough. Don't put tree roses near heating vents or fireplaces; hot air dries out the plants.
- 3
  Water the roses with 1 to 2 inches of water a week to maintain soil moisture. Roses don't require as much water during winter dormancy, but still require relatively moist soil.
- 4
  Move tree roses outside at the spring thaw. Give them organic compost and rose fertilizer at this time to stimulate new growth, and put them back on their standard watering schedule.

How to Trim Roses

Different Grades of Roses

Growing Roses