You plan is similar to the Minnesota over-wintering method of burying the rose.

Here is a link that might be useful: Minnesota over-wintering method

I'm sure it would work just fine. You could also just sink them in the pots too. I've done that before. Just dig the hole deeper than the pot so you cover the rose with the soil. And MARK them with stakes so you can find them in the spring! I hate it when I can't find my roses, lol!

I build a cold frame out of 2 inch styrofoam and hang a string of Christmas tree lights in it for heat. Not the tiny ones , the older type which give off a little heat, I think they're C-7 bulbs. Clear plastic or old storm window for a cover and face it so it angles towards the south to catch the sun, and you should be able to overwinter your bands. Open the top on days above freezing and keep them watered when needed.

In my experience, roses do better in the ground outside than they do in pots over the winter. I have tried just about every way possible to care for pots in winter, and I always have losses. I have not yet had a small rose that is suited for my zone (key word here) in the ground die over winter. Last October, I planted four bands directly into my new Austin garden ... all survived and look fabulous now. Some of the ones I had to leave potted died. (our winters are quite different than YOUR winters, tho.)

Your plan sounds like a wise one to me. We're all curious ... which roses are these? :)

Connie

Kristin... I hate to hog your thread, but ths is a big issue for me in this garden. Unforunately, I am gardening in glacier slurry, which creates a lot of problems of its own. I have found, so far, that it's best to have as largest root mass as possible to plant when I put the roses into the ground. I've been afraind to plant bands directly into the ground because I really don't think they will make it. I'd love to be proven wrong. My temps are not as low as yours and we don't have temps below freezing during the day. Which, for me, tels me that the ground does not really freeze.

Connie, how do you care for small bands planted out in the fall ? I know they can be buried under snow, that's not the issue. For me, winter watering is by natural rainfall.... I am not pulling the hoses out from under the house.

With the premise that I cannot plant bands directly into the ground and have to let them be potted up so that they can grow a root mass before planting, it's about a two year process from band to an in-ground plant. That's just the timing involved for plant development and not the care required. Maybe I am making a roadblock for myself, but I just can't see how I can make it work.

Smiles,
Lyn

The two small bands I'm planning to bury in the garden for the winter are both the alba rose 'Felicite Parmentier'. They will be joining Konigin von Danemark and two Mme. Plantier to round out my alba bed in front of my shed.

In the past I have planted own root bands directly in the garden. Some of these I rooted myself. They were Morden Blush, Crocus Rose, Eglantyne, various rugosas, and two Jacques Cartiers. The only one that did not make it through the winter was one of the Jacques Cartier bands. I don't want to risk losing either of my Felicite Parmentiers and I figure that burying them will give me the best shot. Wish me luck!

Kristin

If you do bury em, add a very thick layer of mulch or leaves on top of the soil for additional insulation.