The Christmas Rose (or Lenten Rose) is a total winter warrior, just like the name suggests. While most of our gardens are sleeping, this hardy perennial starts showing off its blooms around December and keeps the party going until the worst of the cold fades away. Even though it handles snow, ice, and frost like a pro, a little extra TLC for the roots goes a long way.
Growing Christmas Roses Outdoors
When planted in the ground, Christmas Roses are pretty low-maintenance and don’t need much winter protection. However, young plants or older ones with exposed roots can get a bit stressed by deep freezes. If your garden is particularly windy, you’ll definitely want to give them a cozy layer of mulch. Here are some great options:
- Dry leaves
- Bark mulch
- Your last grass clippings of the season
- Straw
- Evergreen branches
If your plants are established and sturdy, a few evergreen boughs are usually plenty. If you’ve tucked your Christmas Roses under shrubs or trees, the fallen autumn leaves actually provide the best natural insulation. Plus, using mulch like this helps lock moisture into the soil, so you won’t have to worry about watering them on those rare frost-free winter days.
Caring for Potted Christmas Roses
Plants in containers need a little more attention during the winter. Because the roots aren’t insulated by the ground, a hard freeze can turn the root ball into an ice cube, which can be fatal for the plant. Luckily, a few quick steps will keep them safe:
- Find a spot on your porch or patio that’s shielded from the wind.
- Elevate the pot by placing it on a piece of wood or a slab of Styrofoam to insulate it from the cold ground.
- Wrap the pot in bubble wrap, garden fleece, or a burlap sack.
- Cover the top of the soil with a coconut coir mat or similar mulch.
- Keep an eye on moisture. Give them a drink on frost-free days only if the top layer of soil feels dry.
- Skip the fertilizer until spring.
If you decide to bring your Christmas Roses indoors for the winter, keep them in a bright, cool spot away from direct sunlight. An unheated sunroom, a bright entryway, or a cool mudroom is perfect. Just check the soil occasionally and water lightly whenever the surface feels dry.
