Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

Roses are timeless garden favorites, known for their stunning blooms and delightful fragrance. However, growing roses in Minnesota’s harsh winters can be challenging. Fortunately, with the right selection and care, you can enjoy vibrant, hardy roses that thrive in our northern climate.

Choosing the Right Roses: Not all roses can withstand Minnesota’s freezing temperatures, but many cold-hardy varieties will flourish with minimal winter protection. Look for roses classified as Zone 3 or Zone 4 hardy. Some great options include:

• Canadian Explorer Series: Hardy, disease-resistant, and low-maintenance varieties like ‘John Cabot’ and ‘William Baffin.’

• Shrub Roses: Easy-care options such as ‘Knock Out’ and ‘Carefree Beauty’ provide continuous blooms.

• Rugosa Roses: Exceptionally winter-hardy and fragrant, like ‘Hansa’ and ‘Blanc Double de Coubert.’

• Old Garden Roses: Time-tested favorites such as ‘Therese Bugnet’ and ‘Rosa Mundi.’

Planting for Success: For the best results, choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Well-draining soil is essential since roses don’t like “wet feet.” Consider the following planting tips:

• Soil Preparation: Amend heavy clay or sandy soil with compost to improve drainage and fertility.

• Spacing: Allow adequate airflow by spacing plants 2-3 feet apart to prevent disease.

• Proper Planting Depth: If planting a grafted rose, bury the graft union 2 inches below the soil to protect it from winter damage.

Caring for Hardy Roses: While hardy roses require less maintenance than tender hybrid teas, proper care will help them thrive:

• Watering: Deeply water roses once a week, more during dry spells. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.

• Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Fertilizing: Use a balanced rose fertilizer in spring and mid-summer to encourage strong growth.

Winter Protection: Even hardy roses benefit from some winter preparation:

• Stop fertilizing in late summer to help plants harden off before winter.

• Mound soil or mulch around the base of the plant 8-12 inches high after the ground freezes.

• Avoid heavy pruning in fall but remove any damaged or diseased branches.

Pruning and Spring Care: Once the snow melts and temperatures warm, remove any winter mulch and prune back dead or damaged wood. Trim roses just above a healthy outward-facing bud to encourage a strong, open structure.

Enjoying Your Roses: With the right varieties and care, hardy roses can be a stunning and rewarding addition to any Minnesota garden. Whether you plant them in beds, borders, or as hedges, these resilient roses will provide beauty, fragrance, and joy season after season. By selecting cold-hardy varieties, following proper planting techniques, and giving them the right care, you’ll enjoy gorgeous roses that can stand up to Minnesota’s winters while flourishing in the summer months.