Winter Care
All grafted roses, no matter how hardy, should ideally, have the bud union buried. After a few good frosts, mound garden soil from somewhere else up over the bud union, at least 2" deep, or 4" in very cold zones. You may have chosen to bury the bud union at the time of planting. Many of our roses are very hardy, but if they are in a very exposed site, or if your garden is in a very cold zone, you should provide winter protection. Tender roses must be protected during the cold winter months. It is a good idea to protect your Brownell, Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, tender Climbing Roses, Miniature Roses, English Roses, and Polyantha Roses this way anywhere in Canada. In colder zones you may want to try this with the hardier roses as well, especially the first winter. After a few good frosts, mound soil over each bush to at least 23cm (9") above the level of the soil. Bring this soil from elsewhere in the garden: do not use soil from around your rose. If possible, shovel fresh snow over tender plants. Snow is an excellent insulator, but do not use hard snow, or snow that has salt in it. If there is a wet, heavy snowfall, remove snow from branches as much as possible to prevent breaking. After the ground has frozen, cover with 15cm(6") of straw, corn stalks, or any other coarse material. This is to keep the ground frozen and to avoid early thaws and flash freezes in late winter. As soon as the weather warms in spring, remove straw and extra soil gradually.
Flowering shrubs, trees or vines, which are marginally hardy in your area, should be protected the same way you would protect a tender rose.
