(Question)
I am considering purchasing roses to plant in a container on my south-facing deck (I live in downtown Toronto). What is the best way to overwinter such roses so that they can come back next year? Also, how many years does a rose typically last in a container? I’m assuming floribundas and miniatures are best, but I am also considering David Austin roses.
(Answer)
There are a couple of points that I’d like to highlight.
- Select roses that are hardy in zones at least 2 zones colder than your location. Downtown Toronto is zone 5B or 6 depending on how close you are to the lake. You should select roses that are hardy to zone 3 or 4 to successful overwinter them growing in a container.
- The container in which you grow them must be able to withstand the freeze/thaw cycles that Toronto experiences
- There is no exact science for predicting how long roses grown in a container will survive. Each winter brings a new set of challenges.
Below is a link from our library which answers your questions.
www.torontomastergardeners.ca/askagardener/growing-roses-in-container
Here are some more links for further research.
www.provenwinners.com/overwintering-perennials-shrubs
https://www.midwestgardentips.com/container_roses.html