Thank you for your question!

How much winter protection your roses need depends on the type and cultivar. If they are cold-hardy shrub roses, extensive winter protection is generally not necessary. University of Minnesota Extension recommends watering evenly as needed until the ground freezes, limiting fall pruning to dead or diseased wood, and applying 2-4 inches of mulch after the first hard frost.

https://extension.umn.edu/about/our-stories/news/yard-and-garden-news/autumn-rose-care-in-minnesota

Less-hardy roses need more protection. UMN notes that hybrid tea, floribunda, and English roses are more tender in Minnesota. One option for tender roses is the traditional “Minnesota Tip.” After several hard frosts but before the ground freezes, the rose is carefully laid into a shallow trench and covered with soil. This protects the canes and graft union from winter cold.

For hardy shrub roses, however, tipping and burying is generally unnecessary. Some winter tip dieback can still occur, but most hardy shrub and landscape roses are able to overwinter without extensive protection. Iowa State University Extension provides similar guidance, noting that most shrub, landscape, species, and old garden roses are reliably winter hardy, although additional protection can be used to reduce winter dieback.

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-overwinter-roses

If you know the names or cultivars of your roses, I recommend checking their hardiness ratings, as that will help determine whether they need additional winter protection.

I would also consider protection from rabbits and deer, particularly if they are common in your yard. Roses can be browsed during winter when other food becomes scarce. A physical barrier is the most reliable protection. Hardware cloth or chicken-wire fencing can be placed around individual plants for rabbits; make sure it is tall enough to remain above the expected snow level.

Hope this helps!

-Victoria

University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer