One Easy Trick To Protect Roses From Frost So They Bloom Again In Spring

If you want a thriving garden full of gorgeous roses in spring, an important step is to make sure the plants make it through winter. Proper fall rose bush care goes a long way towards setting your roses up for success, but there's an easy step you may be missing. Once winter arrives, protect your roses from heavy frost and sunscald by covering them with burlap or a similar fabric. It isn't 100% guaranteed, but it can improve their chances of getting through the winter unscathed.

Any breathable fabric can be used, but burlap is an excellent choice as it is eco-friendly and sturdy as well as breathable. It shields roses from some of the wind, reflected sun, and cold, while still allowing air to flow through so the plant doesn't get too hot or dry out. Start by preparing your garden roses for harsh winter weather by securing pruned canes to a stake or support and adding insulating mulch. While you normally want to give stems and roots room to breathe, in winter, you can mound soil several inches high around the base then top that in a protective layer of mulch. Then get your burlap or similar fabric ready. 

Following the first frost, wrap burlap around canes so each piece is secure but not constricting the plant. You can also use burlap to cover the entire plant. All you need is a structure to wrap the burlap around, such as a small fence or an old tomato cage. Place that around your roses, with some space between the frame and the trunk. Secure the burlap to the outside of the structure to create a wind break or cover. The end goal is about blocking dehydrating wind burn and sunscald more than keeping roses warm. They still need the cold to go dormant before spring.

If you live in a subtropical region without much frost, you probably wont need to worry about covering roses with burlap. In cooler regions, you can wrap any type of rose you're growing. However, there are a few differences when it comes to wrapping climbing roses and potted roses. Climbing roses are beautiful climbing plants that can shade your pergola, but their long canes need additional support in winter. Use tall garden stakes to support loose canes and make sure canes on the trellis are well secured, then wrap the canes in burlap. If the plant is tall and you can't wrap the whole thing safely, focus on sections closer to the roots. You may need to prune frost-damaged ends in spring, but shielding the roots and as many of the canes as you can will help the plant survive.

Potted rose plants may benefit from a burlap blanket, but it may not be enough. Since potted plants have less soil insulation around their roots, they're more vulnerable to frost and cold temperatures. You can wrap canes in burlap and the pot in black plastic to improve this. However, in particularly cold regions your roses may need additional protection. Consider moving them indoors, into a greenhouse, or another sheltered location where they will be less exposed to the worst of the elements.