Growing Roses in Zone 4: Planting and Winter Protection

In zone 4, plant roses from mid-May to early June after the last hard frost, and each November mound 10 to 12 inches of soil or compost over the base, then mulch.

When should I plant roses in zone 4?

The last spring frost in zone 4 is typically early to mid-May. Request a ship week from mid-May to early June, and plant after the last hard frost. If a late frost is forecast, cover new plants or bring them inside overnight. Plant by early summer so roots settle before winter, and avoid fall planting.

Which roses are hardy enough for zone 4?

Look for roses rated for zone 4 or colder on their product page. Our warranty requires that a rose be within your USDA zone. Hybrid rugosa roses and many shrub roses are good places to start, and every listing shows its zone range.

How do I protect roses over winter in zone 4?

1.       Stop fertilizing by mid-August, and stop deadheading in late summer so the plant goes dormant.

2.       Water deeply during dry fall weather until the ground freezes, and water again on warm winter days.

3.       Wait for several hard frosts, and mound before the ground freezes, usually in November.

4.       Mound 10 to 12 inches of soil or compost over the base. Bring it from elsewhere in the garden rather than digging around the roots.

5.       Once the mound has frozen, add dry leaves, pine needles or straw over it. Use materials that drain well.

6.       Lay climbers down and cover them.

Treat a new rose as if you lived in zone 3 for its first winter, and give it extra mulch.

When do I uncover and prune roses in zone 4?

Uncover gradually from late April to mid-May, once the worst freezes are over. Prune when buds begin to swell or forsythia blooms, cutting dead or damaged canes back to healthy green wood.

Why choose own-root roses in zone 4?

Zone 4 winters can kill canes back to the ground. An own-root rose regrows from the base as the same variety, so a hard winter does not change the rose you planted.

Can I leave a potted rose outside in zone 4?

No. Roots in an above-ground pot freeze much harder than roots in the ground, and our warranty does not cover roses planted in above-ground pots in freezing climates. Plant your rose in the ground.