Hardy Roses for Summer Bloom

Is it possible to grow roses this far north? Yes, roses can be grown in hardiness zone 3 and survive our winters, if you choose the right rose. Climbing roses are often not the best type of roses for winter survival; however, I have grown “John Cabot” and “William Baffin” from the Canadian Explorer Series with no winter protection, and have had them survive several years. They are not true climbers

but have such long canes that their appearance is that of a climber.

Hybrid tea, grandiflora and floribunda roses are usually grafted, meaning that they have a root stock from one rose and a top from another rose. Grafted roses need protection in order to survive

winter conditions. If there is not sufficient winter protection the top of the plant may die off during the winter while the roots survive. Unfortunately the surviving roots may not produce an attractive plant or bloom. New roses are now on the market that are not grafted, that is, they are growing on their own roots. If the top dies off in the winter, the surviving roots should enable new growth to start and to produce the desired bloom. Look for roses listed as “own root” which means that the rose has not been budded or grafted. Own root roses also live longer because the bud union or grafting point may hinder the start of new canes in very old plants.

Winter protection must be done before the temperature is consistently in the 20s or below. Protection may be done by the Minnesota tip method which means digging up one side of the plant roots and tipping the plant over on its side before covering it for the winter. The plant is then raised back up in the spring and the exposed roots replanted. Winter protection may also be done by covering the lower part of the plant with soil with the rest of the plant covered with leaves. Protection may also be done by tying the rose canes together, wrapping the bush with spun polyester row cover material and then surrounding the wrapped bushes with as many bags of leaves as possible. It is like putting the rose to bed with a comforter around it.

Miniature roses and some of the newer hybrid teas are grown on their own roots. Shrub roses that are grown on their own roots are a good choice for winter survival, but not all shrub roses are hardy. Shrub roses from the Explorer series and Griffith Buck roses are recommended for winter survival. Meidiland roses, on the other hand, are not recommended for winter survival. Some Parkland or Morden roses are winter hardy and some are not. Pavement roses are small shrub roses that usually survive well without winter protection. Rugosa hybrids are an excellent choice for winter survival in this area. Rugosas have wrinkled leaves and the more wrinkled the leaves, the higher amount of rugosa genes in the plant and the higher probability of winter survival.

Making the best choice of a winter hardy rose does require a little homework. For a complete list of hardy roses for northern

climates, go to www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/ DG6750.html and check the publication “Selecting Hardy Roses for

Northern Climates.” Enjoy smelling your roses this summer.