Although roses have been cultivated in our latitudes for hundreds of years, they are generally not completely frost hardy. In particular, the shoot base and - in the case of refined varieties - the grafting point should be protected not only from cold temperatures, but also from the winter sun. For this reason, you should cover your roses in winter, using natural materials in particular.
How to cover and protect roses in winter?
Protect roses in winter by piling up the shoot base and grafting area with soil or compost, laying fir or spruce branches over it and wrapping standard roses with jute or fleece. Plastic films should be avoided as they encourage mold growth.
Protect roses from frost and winter sun
It's not just the sub-zero temperatures that pose a threat to roses, but on milder days, especially the winter sun. This can stimulate the plant's sap flow, which can be very dangerous after another cold snap. Good winter protection begins with planting, because grafted roses should be planted in such a way that the grafting area is buried at least five centimeters deep and covered with plenty of warming soil. Finally, in the fall, pile up the above-ground shoot base to a height of at least 20 centimeters with soil or compost and finally cover everything with fir or spruce branches.
Cover roses with fir or spruce branches
Fir branches are particularly suitable for covering roses, as the branches retain their needles much longer than the often recommended spruce branches. If you have the choice, always use the more durable pine brush if possible. The coniferous branches effectively keep out wind and cold and also ensure that the winter protection looks a little more attractive than bare mounds of earth. You can remove the coniferous branches in early spring, but the mounds of earth are only removed after they sprout.
Pack standard roses properly
Since the sensitive grafting area on standard roses cannot be buried in the ground, these plants should be packed particularly carefully. Use jute or fleece to wrap the crown. Before doing this, however, stick fir or spruce branches between the branches as these provide additional protection. Young, still flexible standard roses can often be bent down to the ground so that you can completely cover the crown with soil. However, this traditional method only works with young trees; with older ones, the risk of splintering and breaking is too high.
Tip
Never use foil or similar plastics to wrap and cover the roses, as these are not breathable. Moisture builds up underneath, which in turn promotes the development of fungal diseases.
