The real key to protecting your roses from the cold is to plant varieties that are reliably hardy in your growing zone. Purchasing plants from a reputable local dealer is one way to achieve that goal. If ordering by mail, be sure to select roses listed for your zone, or colder.

In general, you should consider winter protection for your roses if you live in a climate colder than the middle of zone 8.

3-Steps to Protect

Hybrid roses generally benefit from a simple process that protects the bud union (where the hardy rootstock is grafted to the flowering portion of the plant). It's time to protect your roses when they've experienced one or two hard freezes, but before the ground freezes solid.

Step 1. Remove leaves and other debris from around the plant. If you like, you can also cut the longer canes back to about 3 feet.

Step 2. Build a chicken wire collar around the bush. Use bamboo stakes and 24-inch-tall chicken wire fencing to create a tubular enclosure around the bush.

Step 3. Add soil and mulch. Pile garden soil around the bush so that the mound covers the bottom 12 inches of the plant. After the soil freezes hard, cover it with a 3- to 4-inch layer of straw, leaves, or other light mulch.

Next spring, you'll want to remove the protection around the roses in the spring before the buds break. Just remove the chicken wire, soil, and mulch.

Protecting Climbing Roses

If you select climbers that are hardy in your zone, you shouldn't have to do anything special to protect them. However, if you have any doubts about their hardiness, you can use the technique described below to give them a better chance of surviving a harsh winter.

1. Remove the canes from their supports. Gently pull the canes away from a tellis or other support and lay them horizontally on the ground. Pin them loosely so they remain flat.

2. Cover the canes with soil. Apply a couple of inches of garden soil over the canes. After the ground freezes, mulch the canes with straw or leaves.

3. Next spring, as soon as the soil allows, remove the canes from their resting place and reattach them to their supports.

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