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Home » Video » Winter Care for Knock Out and Drift Roses

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  • P. Allen Smith's Garden Home

Winter Care for Knock Out and Drift Roses | PBS

Duration: 01:33
Program: P. Allen Smith's Garden Home

When preparing your Drift and Knock Out Roses for winter, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, in order to help harden off your rose for the coming cold months, discontinue fertilizing them starting about four weeks prior to your first frost date. Feeding them too late can cause them to put on new growth that the first frosts of the season can burn or kill. And don't prune them this late also for the same reason. Wait until spring after the dangers of frost are over to fertilize and cut back your roses. If the soil around your roses is dry, water thoroughly. Even though the plant will go dormant for winter, the roots still need hydration to stay alive and prepare for new growth for the coming spring. Plus, adding two or three inches of mulch around the base of the plant, especially in areas that have cold winters without a lot of snow cover, will help protect the roots but be sure to allow them to harden until the plant is fully dormant before placing the mulch around them. Putting the mulch down while temperatures are still warm will keep the soil warmer and your plants may not be fully dormant by the time the first freezes arrive. Cold winter winds are very dry and these winds can really dry out your rose. Planting your rose in areas that are protected from wind or using frost blankets can help offer wind protection. These tips should help keep your Drift and Knock Out Roses protected through the winter.

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Post Date: December 26, 2011