Winterizing Potted Roses & Getting Wild Climbers to Bloom

Amanda, two challenges: protecting potted dwarf roses over winter, and coaxing bloom from vigorous wild climbers.

Winterizing Potted Roses (Zone Not Given—Assume Cold)

Option 1: Unheated basement/garage. Keep just above freezing. Water sparingly when dry.

Option 2: Insulate pots in place. Double black trash bags (or bubble wrap) around pots, mulch heavily over soil surface. Protect roots—the top can freeze.

Wild Climbers: No Blooms, Just Leaves

• Stop nitrogen fertilizers (they fuel vegetative growth).
• Feed bone meal (phosphorus for blooms) or bloom-booster fertilizer.
• Prune only dead/crossing canes. Don't hard-prune—climbers bloom on old wood.
• Train horizontally: Tying canes sideways encourages flowering laterals.
• Patience: Some wild roses take 3+ years to bloom well.

Protect roots in winter; feed for flowers in spring. They'll come around.