You can plant landscape roses in winter only when the timing and ground conditions suit your region. Plant dormant bare-root roses during the local dormant-season window, once the soil is workable; container-grown roses have a broader planting window. Frozen or waterlogged soil is a stop sign. In colder climates, that may mean waiting for an early-spring thaw rather than planting in midwinter.
Can you plant landscape roses in winter?
Sometimes. “Winter” covers very different conditions: late autumn may be suitable in a mild climate, while a cold region may have frozen ground for months. Decide by the rose’s form, local guidance, and whether the soil is workable—not by the season name alone. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises: “Avoid planting roses when the ground is frozen or waterlogged, or during drought conditions.” RHS rose-growing guidance
For dormant bare-root roses, the usual window is while the plant is dormant and before spring growth starts. The RHS gives late autumn or late winter to early spring as its general window. Iowa State recommends early spring before growth begins for its region, while Oregon State describes March as suitable in many parts of the Pacific Northwest. These recommendations differ because they are regional; use local extension or nursery advice for your area rather than treating any one calendar date as universal. Iowa State University Extension · Oregon State University Extension
Choose the right planting window for the rose’s form
Bare-root roses
Bare-root roses are sold dormant and seasonally. Plant them promptly after purchase when local conditions allow. The RHS recommends planting while dormant, usually in late autumn or late winter to early spring. Iowa State’s advice for its region is early spring before growth begins. If you cannot plant a bare-root rose right away, Iowa State recommends keeping it cool but not frozen and keeping its root packing material damp. Before planting, soak the roots for one to two hours and remove damaged roots. These are regional preparation instructions, not a universal planting calendar. RHS rose-growing guidance · Iowa State University Extension
#1 Best Overall
- 🌺 live Sweet Drift Rose comes with easy to use plant food and blooms 8-9 months of the Year with baby pink blooms that compliment any garden or landscape
- 💝 Sweet Drift roses are an outdoor Rose that mimics groundcover growth: low to the ground, and dark green foliage growing linear to the soil providing an even, brightly-colored spread
- 🌞 This plant loves the sun and would enjoy a spot in your landscape that receives sunlight all day! Perfect for planting in clusters along walkways, patios, gazebos, and mailboxes!
- 🌿 mature Height: 1-2 ft | mature width: 2-3 ft, for Spacing in the landscape, plant Sweet Drift roses roughly 3 feet apart from one another for proper growth
- 💪 drift roses are especially hardy! A drift rose is easy to maintain during all four seasons because it is both drought-tolerant and winter hardy, making this the best groundcover Rose for new or experienced gardeners
Container-grown roses
Container-grown roses have a broader planting window than bare-root plants and may be planted year-round, according to the RHS, provided conditions are suitable. Plant as soon as practical after purchase, but do not put them into frozen or waterlogged ground or plant during drought conditions. RHS rose-growing guidance
Check the site before planting
- Sun: The RHS recommends a sunny site with at least four hours of sunlight a day. Treat this as general RHS guidance; a cultivar’s needs may differ. RHS rose-growing guidance
- Wind exposure: Avoid very exposed, windy spots where possible. Newly planted dormant bare-root canes can dry out in wind; Illinois Extension describes temporarily mounding soil over canes for protection, then removing it once growth starts. Follow regional guidance for this technique. Illinois Extension
- Drainage: Do not plant in waterlogged ground. Poor drainage can contribute to winter injury or loss, according to Illinois Extension. Illinois Extension
- Room to grow: The RHS suggests allowing about 60 cm (2 ft) around a rose. Check the mature size of the specific cultivar before choosing a location; this spacing is general guidance, not a requirement for every landscape rose. RHS rose-growing guidance
Choose a rose that can handle your winter
“Landscape rose” does not guarantee winter survival in every garden. Iowa State reports that many shrub, landscape, species, and old garden roses are winter hardy in Iowa, but hardiness depends on the cultivar and the planting site. Illinois Extension advises choosing cultivars that tolerate the coldest temperatures in your area. Cold exposure, local hardiness, and drainage all affect whether a rose comes through winter successfully. Iowa State University Extension · Illinois Extension
Rank #2
- Large, double pink blooms
- USDA zones 5-11
- Plant will ship dormant if ordered mid-fall to mid-spring
- Deciduous - loses its leaves during the winter months
- Water twice per week until established, then water once per week
If you are planting a grafted rose in a northern climate, the depth of its bud union may matter. Illinois Extension discusses this for grafted roses; do not apply a single depth rule to every rose type or region. Check the plant’s instructions and local recommendations. Illinois Extension
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Orange Glow Knock Out Rose Bush produces brilliant orange blooms with hints of yellow and pink, adding warmth and vibrancy to any garden.
- Lush green foliage serves as an attractive backdrop to the vibrant blooms, creating a striking contrast.
- This rose bush reaches a manageable mature size of 4-5 feet tall and wide, making it ideal for a variety of garden spaces
- It thrives in USDA zones 4-11, making it suitable for a wide range of climates and regions.
- The plant is highly disease-resistant, reducing the need for intensive maintenance and care.
Rank #4
- ✨Add some gorgeous sparkle to your yard and landscape with the pure White Drift Rose bush! These elegant blooms enhance the style of any environment they are planted and are sure to be your next eye catching addition.
- 🌹 pure White Drift roses are a cross between normal sized and miniature sized roses, and with this cross breeding bring the best of both variations to create an easy to manage and hardy Rose bush.
- ☀️The creamy white blooms of the pure white rose bush are reoccurring during their blooming seasons! These blooms are very tolerant to drought and heat, and perform Best in full sunlight. However, they can tolerate partial shade.
- 💪These rose bushes are very low maintenance! The pure White Drift roses are incredibly popular across the United States For their low amount of overall upkeep! Water your flowers on a regular basis, make sure it gets plenty of sun, and be sure the soil is full of organic nutrients.
- 🌳The pure White Drift roses, when mature, grow to roughly 2 feet tall and 3 feet Wide. This size makes them great for stand-alone specimen plants as well as planting in rows to make small flowering Hedge! When planting multiple plant at least 2-3 feet apart.
Rank #3
- 🍑 live Peach Drift Rose comes with easy to use plant food and blooms 8-9 months of the Year with popping Peach petals that compliment any garden or landscape
- 💝 Peach Drift roses are an outdoor Rose that mimics groundcover growth: low to the ground, and dark green foliage growing linear to the soil providing an even, brightly-colored spread
- 🌞 This plant loves the sun and would enjoy a spot in your landscape that receives sunlight all day! Perfect for planting in clusters along walkways, patios, gazebos, and mailboxes!
- 🌿 mature Height: 1-2 ft | mature width: 2-3 ft, for Spacing in the landscape, plant Peach Drift roses roughly 3 feet apart from one another for proper growth
- 💪 drift roses are especially hardy! A drift rose is easy to maintain during all four seasons because it is both drought-tolerant and winter hardy, making this the best groundcover Rose for new or experienced gardeners
A practical decision check
- Identify the plant: Is it a dormant bare-root rose or a container-grown plant?
- Check local timing: Use regional guidance for the dormant-season planting window. In cold climates, wait until the ground thaws and plant before growth begins; in milder areas, late autumn may be appropriate.
- Check the ground: Plant only when soil is workable—not frozen or waterlogged—and avoid planting during drought.
- Confirm the site: Check sunlight, wind exposure, drainage, and the cultivar’s mature size.
- Confirm winter suitability: Select a cultivar suited to your area’s coldest temperatures and the conditions in your garden.
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