Roses grow well in the sunny and hot conditions of the Wenatchee Valley and when they receive adequate water.
They can have a more difficult time in the winter. Though most roses are hardy enough to handle the low temperatures, they can be caught by an earlier than expected drop in temperature or mid-winter warm-up then sharp drop. This occurred in, for example, the late fall in 2008 and 2010, and winter of 2023. It resulted in the death of many roses in area gardens.
Roses that are planted on their own roots will regrow from the ground and the flower will be the same as planted. Roses grown as grafts on rootstock will also sprout from the base, but it will be from the rootstock, not the grafted rose, and the flower will not be the same as planted. In that case, a homeowner usually will replace the rose.
Selecting roses grown on their own roots will protect against loss of a favorite rose to early winter temperatures.
Grafted roses can survive cold temperatures experienced in the Chelan/Douglas county area if the graft is planted two inches below the surface level and surrounded by a 2 – 3 inch layer of mulch in the fall.
- Growing Roses in Washington State-A Seasonal Calendar, WSU publication FS164E
- Growing Roses in Washington State: Planting Roses, WSU publication FS166E
- Growing Roses in Washington State: Common Disease and Insect Problems, WSU publication FS246E
- Put Roses to Bed for the Winter – by Chelan/Douglas Master Gardeners
- Master Gardener Articles – Roses