Is winter protection required for roses?
Winterizing roses is an important maintenance practice to ensure vigorous growth from year to year. There are several things gardeners can do to make sure their roses survive Ohio winters long before the cold winds blow. First, when selecting roses, choose those that are the most winter hardy for the area. Next, make sure the roses are healthy and not under stress during the growing season; healthy plants have a better chance of surviving winter than weakened plants. Reduce stress on roses going into the dormant season by irrigating adequately in late fall and discontinuing fertilizer application in late summer or early fall. Hybrid teas, grandifloras, and floribundas should be protected against winter damage after a killing frost in the fall, but before the soil freezes. In Ohio, this is typically in late November or early December. Tall canes can be cut back to 30-36 inches and the tips tied together to reduce breakage from winter winds whipping them around. Remove dead and fallen le
