How to Choose Roses for Cold Climates

Each spring, cold-climate gardeners are met with a sad sight: Dead roses. In USDA Zones 6 and colder, some types of roses simply aren't hardy and die out. You can keep your roses year after year, however, by seeking out those roses that are the most cold-resistant.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cold-resistant Roses

1. Check out mail-order catalogs that specialize in cold-hardy roses. One excellent supplier is The Roseraie at Bayfields, P.O. Box R., Waldoboro, ME 04572 (207-832-6330), www.roseraie.com.

2. Know your USDA Zone and choose accordingly. Check out the zone map link in Related Sites to find which zone you're in. Remember this when choosing a rose. For example, if a magazine or plant label says a rose is hardy to Zone 5 and you live in Zone 4 (which is colder), do not purchase that rose.

3. Ask hard questions. When shopping at a nursery where little hardiness information may be available, ask how cold-hardy a rose is and how much winter protection it would need. If the nursery is unsure, don't purchase the rose.

4. Know your roses. Certain types of roses are naturally cold-resistant. Very cold-hardy roses include rugosas, Griffith Buck, and Morden roses. Other cold-hardy roses (with varying degrees of cold-resistance) include centifolias, species roses, gallica and alba. (Most roses called shrub roses will be somewhat cold-hardy.) The least cold-hardy roses are usually hybrid tea roses.

Tips & Warnings

• A bonus in choosing cold-hardy roses: they're often the most disease-resistant and lowest-maintenance.
• Even the most cold-resistant roses do better with some winter protection. Follow growing instructions exactly.