Winter Rose Care
Although major rose pruning is not done until late February into early March, there are a few things you can do now get roses settled in for the winter.
After the first frost has occurred (ours was December 1 this year), cut back any long canes. It is also good to cut canes back about 1/3 or at about waist-high. It does not matter how you make the cuts. Giving roses a slight pruning at this time will decrease the damage from strong winter winds. Roses are not deeply rooted, and any long canes can spell trouble. More precise pruning will be done in late winter (around the last of February or early March).
Pick off any remaining leaves, if possible. Any remaining leaves, especially diseased leaves, can harbor spores for next season.
Clean the area around the base of the rose. Rake out all leaves and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost.
For extra measure and especially for roses that had problems this year, a dormant oil spray as well as a copper fungicide is recommended. We recommend a
combination of Monterey Horticultural Oil and Monterey Liqui-Cop in the following amounts:
- 1 ounce horticultural oil
- 2 ounces copper fungicide (Liqui-Cop)
- 1 gallon water
Mix and spray the canes as well as the ground surrounding the base of the rose. Make sure you do this on a dry day. This can be repeated later in the winter and early spring. (A good rule of thumb is to apply New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day and early to mid March).
(Note: Read the label for more information, especially when it comes to combining products. The Monterey oil and copper fungicide can be combined but other brands may not. Check to make sure or ask an employee for more information)
Finally, cover the base of the rose with mulch making sure you cover the bud union completely. You can use anything you have – compost, leaves, bark chips, etc. Roses are generally very hardy here but it doesn’t hurt to add some protection. At the beginning of spring, the mulch will be removed.
That’s it for now. Around March 1, regular pruning will be done. Stay tuned!
