Rose Guide
How to Winterize Potted Roses
Potted roses are more cold-vulnerable than in-ground ones because their roots are exposed. In winter, move pots to a sheltered unheated spot, insulate the container, or sink the whole pot in the ground.
A rose in a container has its roots surrounded only by pot walls, so it feels cold far more than a rose in the earth. As dormancy sets in, move pots against a sheltered wall, into an unheated garage, or group them together and wrap the containers in insulation.
In very cold regions, the surest method is to sink the entire pot into a garden bed for the winter so the ground insulates the roots, then lift it again in spring. Water occasionally during dormancy so the roots never dry out completely.