How do I protect my lovely rose bush during the harsh winter months? Should I wrap it in burlap or?

Question

should I cover it in mulch?

Answer 1

You may not need to do anything. How harsh is harsh? My daughter has the most beautiful rose bushes I've ever seen. She lives in the Rocky Mountains at around 6,000 ft. and has below zero weather sometimes and ferocious winds out of Canada. She leaves her roses unpruned until the first rains in the spring, then prunes about half the growth back. The roses are on the side of the house away from most of the wind, but she doesn't do anything special for winter. I'd check with the local nursery people to find out what's best for your specific area.

Answer 2

Mulching is the answer, whether you prune or not prune. In the north, normally the ground freezes, when it does, it is a good idea to mound some kind of mulch around the base of your bushes to keep the top of the root ball protected. This year many areas in the North, the ground has not frozen, still mulch with leaves or straw around the bottom 6-12 inches of your bushes, not only will this protect from the cold weather, but also from wind damage.

Answer 3

Don't know which zone you reside in...in zone 6 I find just by piling the soil up several inches seems to do the trick. I also leave shredded leaves in the bed for the winter which creates a light mulch for warmth but doesn't compact down to allow a mold situation to develop. A layer of hay or straw would provide a light airy shield as another alternative. Probably the best advice would come from your local nursery..Best wishes.

Answer 4

Depends uon where you live and how cold your winters get. If you get real freezes, you could wrap it in burlap, but occasionally go out to air it for a few hours during milder weather. Otherwise, a normal mulch will help. Here is a good source to help you decide: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/winter.html

Answer 5

Burlap is better, hoped you pruned it already cause now is not the time. The burlap will breathe allowing the plant to get what it needs from the atmosphere but will protect it from heavy wind damage and other elements of nature.

Answer 6

I'd go for the burlap. If you mulch it, you will increase the chance of fungal and mold infections not to mention making a nice place for mice and voles to get at it and possibly cause damage.

Answer 7

As everyone says ... depends on where you live to explain "harsh". Here is Florida I wrap my bushes with white christmas lights and just turn them on on the freezing nights. They bloom all thru the winter (as short as that is,lol)

Answer 8

Mulch it heavily and then get one of those Styrofoam rose cones and cover it.....

Answer 9

PUT A CAGE OF WIRE AROUND IT AN PUT A LAYER OF DIRT UP TO THE GRAFT OF THE PLANT THEN FILL THE WIRE WITH HAY AN COVER WITH A GRILL COVER.