Growing Roses in Zone 7: Planting and Winter Protection

In zone 7, plant roses from early April to early May, mulch 3 to 4 inches deep in December, and cover plants with frost cloth during unusual cold snaps.

When should I plant roses in zone 7?

The last spring frost in zone 7 is typically late March to mid-April. Request a ship week from early April to early May, and plant on arrival. Water deeply and mulch before summer heat arrives. Spring is the best planting time, and fall planting also works in zone 7 if roots can settle before the ground freezes.

Which roses are hardy enough for zone 7?

Nearly all garden roses rated for zone 7 or colder will grow here, so you have the widest choice of any cold zone. Check each product page for the zone range. Our warranty requires that a rose be within your USDA zone.

How do I protect roses over winter in zone 7?

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

2.       Water deeply during dry fall weather and winter spells.

3.       In December, spread 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the base of each rose.

4.       For new plants, mound 4 to 6 inches of soil or compost over the base.

5.       Cover roses with frost cloth when an unusual cold snap is forecast, and remove it when temperatures rise.

Treat a new rose as if you lived in zone 6 for its first winter.

When do I prune roses in zone 7?

Prune in late winter, usually February to March, when buds begin to swell or forsythia blooms. Cut dead or damaged canes back to healthy green wood, and pull any mound back from the base in early spring.

Why choose own-root roses in zone 7?

If an unusual freeze kills the canes, an own-root rose regrows from the base as the same variety you chose.

Can I leave a potted rose outside in zone 7?

In freezing weather, roots in an above-ground pot are more exposed 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.