Autumn workshop · article 9
How climbing roses overwinter, and when to take them off their supports
Growth habit does not guarantee the same hardiness: some varieties overwinter on their support, while others need their canes protected.
Short answerCheck the variety, its group and its hardiness in your location. If the canes need covering, untie and bend them down gradually while they are still flexible, but do the final covering only once the plant has gone dormant.
A safe sequence
- Loosen the ties. Remove any wire that is cutting in, and mark the stiff old canes.
- Bend them down in stages. Lower them a little at a time, securing them with soft ties.
- Do not lay them on wet soil. A dry, breathable layer and protection from the wind are needed.
- Protect the base. The graft union and the lower part of the plant are often more important than how thick the top covering is.
- Uncover gradually. Air the cover during thaws and do not let the canes overheat in spring.
Do not force mature wood
Thick canes cannot be bent down by force in a single day. If the variety is hardy and local experience confirms it, it is better to leave it secured to the support than to snap it.
Climber or rambler
Repeat-flowering climbers and once-flowering ramblers follow different pruning principles. First establish the group, so that you do not cut off the future flowering.