How to Protect Roses From the Snow

Protecting your roses from snow is an essential task.

Snow and colder weather can be particularly damaging for roses and early-flowering or tender plants, and protecting them from freezing weather is essential for keeping them alive and growing. While light snow of up to 2 to 3 inches may actually help form a protective barrier against cold in the winter, heavy, wet snow must be kept away from roses according to Ed Hume Seeds. Luckily, there are numerous ways to protect roses, depending on your growing situation.

Things You'll Need

• Mulch (type will vary)
• Heavy-duty blankets or geothermal blankets
• Rope or nylon string

Instructions

1. Mulch around the sides of planted roses to a depth of 8 to 12 inches over the base of the rose canes. There are numerous types of mulch you can use, including bark, straw, sawdust, peat moss and leaves and grass clippings from your own yard if you are able to collect enough. Mulch should be cleared away in the spring as the area warms up.

2. Move roses in planters and containers to the basement or other area where they are protected from the elements. Note that roses should not be moved indoors to a heated area and they should not be kept indoors the entire winter, only during especially cold times with heavy snow.

3. Cover roses in planters and containers with bark or sawdust mulch. When mulching roses in pots, you should not exceed the lip of the pot, and the mulch should not cover the stems of the roses.

4. Wrap roses in pots or containers with blankets and tie them with rope or nylon string to shield them from extreme weather. Some specially made geothermal blankets are available for protecting precious flowers in the colder months from hardware stores, nurseries and numerous online retailers. However, regular, heavy-duty blankets have been and continue to be used by successful growers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to use commercial mulch, you should know that the types of commercially sold mulch might vary in your area. Consult a local nursery or garden supply store for more information.

• It is essential to be ready for cold weather if you live in an area with weather that changes quickly. Measure the materials you will need and do a test run in the summer so you are prepared in case of an unexpected storm or blizzard.

References

• Ed Hume Seeds: Protecting Plants During Cold Weather

Resources

• Rose Gardening Made Easy: Winterizing Roses