Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” I would like to rejoice. Growing roses in Wyoming might seem a daunting challenge that few want to accept. However, I wish more would take the cahallenge and when you have the right information and knowledge of how to succeed, you can be succesful in your gardening endevors.

Growing up in the Rose City of Wyoming, I have always loved roses. In fact at one point of my  horticulture career, I was the Parks Manager for the Town of Lovell and was the steward of the roses growing in the town parks. What a challenge! However, changing some of the daily and seasonal care practices I was able to help those roses grow and survive in Wyoming. It wasn’t easy, but my crew and I did it. Lovell was once again blooming in roses.

Roses can grow and flurish in Wyoming, you just have to take certain steps to help them survive.

You can find links to my YouTube videos on Roses and also Rose care sheets in our web sites Learning Center.

Climbing roses are known for the towering growth, along fences, up walls, and over pergolas. Most are not hardy to our harsh Wyoming climates but there are a few that have been known to survive our wintes. Take precautions in the winter months to give them the best protection you can.

The Floribunda Rose is a cross between a polyantha and a tea rose.  Generally, floribundas are smaller shrubs reaching only 3 to 4 feet tall and have an “abundance of floras” or flowers.  They can be single or double blooms and come in a wide range of colors.

A hardy cross between the Hybrid Tea and Floribunda Rose. First introduced in 1954 with the award winning rose “Queen Elizabeth. Large bloom grow in clusters atop long stems.

The most popular of all modern rose classes, the Hybrid Tea rose can trace its origins back to France and the late 1800’s. They are known for their strong fragrances and single rose flowers sitting atop of tall canes.

Shrub Roses can also be refered to landscape roses or hardy roses. Often including several classes for roses such as Species or “wild roses”, kordesii, moyesii, musk, rugosa and shrub. These roses can grow from 3 to 15 feet in all directions given the right growing conditions. Most have single bloom and bloom usually only once a year. However, with new breeding practices and introductions, many new varieties offer double blooms and multiple blooming times throughout the season. Hardiness of these roses can often be listed for USDA Zone 3, which ranges to a -40 degrees F.

Tree Roses are NOT hardy in Wyoming and must be protected in order for them to survive the winter and into the next year. They can be planted in the ground but for best results, they should be planted in large pots or planters. Those planters can then be brought into an insulated, preferably a heated garage or out-building, where the ambiant winter temps stays above 20 degrees F but below 45 degrees F. They are a great accent addition to any garden but precautions must be taken to ensure their survivability.