To ensure a successful garden, it is important to choose the correct rose for your hardiness zone. But even the hardiest of roses appreciate extra protection as the cold of winter approaches.
There are three types of roses that are recommended for colder climates including: Winter Hardy roses, Griffith Buck roses, and own-root roses in general.
Winter Hardy Roses are ideal for gardeners who love roses but don’t want to have too much prep work for winter. Our favorites include: Distant Drums, Polar Express, Rosa Rugosa, Morden Centennial, and many more.
Griffith Buck, a hybridizer in Iowa, developed a group of roses to withstand the cold, midwest winters and resist diseases. While most roses need protection in zone 5, Buck roses do not. However, we recommend Buck roses be planted in zones 4 and 5 before July 1st to be well established before the winter freeze arrives.
Lastly, own-root roses are less vulnerable to winter injury and are the only kind we grow at Heirloom. These roses come in every size and color and are sure to meet any gardener’s needs. Own-root roses should be chosen for your correct zone but will be quicker and more likely to bounce back after a cold winter than their grafted counterparts.