Roses Winter Protection

Midwest temperature fluctuations are difficult on plants. It was -8 with -26 wind chill earlier this week. Currently, it's 32 degrees and we're expecting sleet and snow. Below is a list of  things I do to help protect our roses. The young Pinata was a bare root purchase in 2014 and it displayed heavy fragrant blooms. Its shades of coral  faded to a pretty pink and orangish-yellow.

Roses Winter Protection

1. Water well
2. Stop fertilization, prior to August.
3. Mound leaves over bud union and then cover leaves with  a mound of soil or compost.
3. When things thaw, remove leaves and compost from base of plant