Hybrid tea and Floribunda require special care 

Hybrid tea and floribunda roses are not winter hardy in Minnesota. But many people don’t want to treat them like annuals. If you follow our guidelines on how to prepare tea and floribunda roses for winter, you can enjoy them for a second year and more! 

Cut back the Rose 12-18 inches 

You have a few options. All of them begin with the same step, cut back the rose to 12-18 inches and carefully pull up the branches and loosely bind together with twine.

Next, place straw around the plant and cover with a rose cone that you “pin” to the ground with some sod, staples or stakes. Depending on weather, the cones can get too warm. There are vents you can use to help alleviate that problem. Another similar option is to use chicken wire or hardware cloth in place of a rose cone. Form a ring about one foot out beyond the rose and at least 6 inches higher. Stuff that with straw. 

Plant in the Rose Cone 

Check out our Learn Center page on The Minnesota Tip Method with another option and more information on caring for your roses throughout the year. That link will take you to “How to Prepare Roses for Cold Minnesota Weather”. NOTE: Hardy Shrub Roses and Carpet Roses don’t “generally” require this kind of attention. Know your climate zone and check to see what zone your roses are hardy to. Note the very small portion of Zone 5a at the Iowa border. 

The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions.