Winter protection
Winter protection is a way of sheltering your plants from abrupt temperature variations (freezing
and thawing). Native and naturalized roses as well as most modern shrub roses do not require any
protection apart from a good layer of snow. Less-hardy or grafted roses (hybrid teas, floribundas,
etc.) must be protected if they are to survive the winter.
- Before installing winter protection, cut the canes back to 30-35 cm above the soil.
- Place all leaves and pruning debris in the garbage (do not compost).
Mounding
If planting in autumn, mound soil up around the base of hardy plants. This will protect them from
the autumn cold and from sunburn in spring. After all risk of spring frosts is past, gently remove
the mound of soil and lightly spray the canes with a hose to clean them.
Rose cones
Prune canes, remove leaves and mound soil up around the base of the plant to a depth of 20-25 cm.
Anchor the cone firmly with a brick or stakes. In our climate, the efficiency of such cones depends
on the snow cover (40 cm is ideal).
Insulating fabric
Such fabric, a sheet of Styrofoam covered in opaque white plastic, will help protect your plants by
keeping the temperature constant. It is well suited to mass plantings, climbers and standard or tree
roses. There is no need to mound or bury the plants beforehand.
Installing insulating fabric
Remove the leaves from the plants and clean all dead leaves from beds to prevent fungal diseases.
First build a frame out of stakes or chicken wire. Then wrap the fabric around the frame and attach
it firmly.
When?
Install the protection in autumn (mid- or late November) when the plants are dormant and after a few
days of –5ºC to –10ºC temperatures. Remove the protection in spring, around mid-April, once the soil
thaws.
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