Winter Care For Tea, Florabunda and Grandiflora Roses

“The Minnesota Tip”

Hybrid Tea, Floribunda and Grandiflora Roses

Linder’s recommends the “Minnesota Tip” for wintering over Tea, Florabunda and Grandiflora roses. The “Minnesota Tip” is a proven method for protecting roses against early freezes in the fall, the bitter cold of winter and the dangers of thaw-freeze cycles in the spring.
Protecting roses for the winter really begins with the work you do during the summer. Bringing your roses into the fall season in the best of health is the first step in winter protection. Avoid late season pruning because open wounds on the canes may not heal properly, as cold weather can inhibit the formation of a protective callus. Mid October, preparation can begin for tipping roses. Here are the steps to follow when using the “Minnesota tip” method.

1. Water thoroughly one or two days prior to tipping to keep the soil in good working condition.
2. The day before tipping, apply a good dormant spray such as liquid lime-sulpher to prevent gray mold and other fungi.
3. Tie the rose canes together with strips of soft cloth to allow easier handling and avoid cane damage.
4. Dig a trench starting away from and working toward the base of the bush. The trench should be as long as the bush is high. The width and depth should be enough to easily accommodate the bush or bushes. Pull the soil away from the shank (the root stock area between the bud union and the main branching of the root system) to facilitate tipping.
5. When the trench is ready and the roots are loosened, use a spading fork to push the bush into the trench. Cover bush with 2 or 3 inches of soil. You may need to add soil to obtain good coverage.
6. In mid to late November, cover the soil with about 18 inch of mulch.

Linder’s recommends using marsh hay for mulching roses and perennials for winter. Unlike other hay, marsh hay contains very few weed seeds.

Next spring, start uncovering rose bushes around April 1st. Begin by removing the mulch and then gradually remove the soil as it progressively thaws. Keep your used mulch handy in case temperatures become severe again.

Around the last week of April, raise the plants to an upright position and mist the canes often with water to prevent them from drying out. Once the plants have been lifted, spray with a good horticultural oil and fungicide to kill insect eggs and prevent mildew.

When the “Minnesota Tip” is not an option due to space constraints, mounding is also effective. In mid October, cut canes back to 8-10 inches. Mound up canes so they are completely covered with dirt. Build a wire cage, and fill with mulch in mid to late November.