Bare-root roses go into Pennsylvania soil while they are still asleep, and the first buds swell soon after. Container roses follow once the ground is workable.
When to Plant Roses in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, in the southeast, sees its last spring freeze between March 29 and April 6, and its first fall freeze between November 5 and November 16, which is earlier in spring and later in fall than in the northern parts of the state. Pennsylvania spans USDA hardiness zones 5a to 7b. The northern tier and the Alleghenies start later in spring than Philadelphia. A young rose fears a freeze once it leafs out, while a dormant bare-root plant takes the cold in stride, which is why the year runs like this:
- In March and April, bare-root roses go into the ground while they are dormant and before growth starts. Planting then lets the roots settle before the first soft leaves can be nipped.
- From April through midsummer, container roses can be planted. They arrive with leaves and active roots, so they are best set out after the hardest freezes have passed.
- In May, June and July, a potted rose can still be planted. It will be growing by then, so it needs regular watering.
- From April into July, feeding keeps pace with growth, starting right after pruning and continuing through the main flush of bloom.
- In November, after several killing freezes, the canes of tender roses get their winter cover. Mid-November on is the usual moment.
Planting a bare-root rose in late summer or fall is not on this calendar, because a plant without leaves has no time to settle before the ground freezes.
Pennsylvania — the year and the numbers
- State
- Pennsylvania
- USDA zones
- 5a-7b
- Last spring frost
- March 29 to April 6
- First fall frost
- November 5 to November 16
- Annual rain
- 44 in
- Lawn zone
- transition-season
- Source
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, 32F freeze probabilities · Philadelphia
Which Roses Grow Best in Pennsylvania?
Hardy shrub roses, species roses and old garden roses come through Pennsylvania winters with little fuss. Hybrid teas, floribundas and grandifloras are less reliable and need winter protection in cold winters. Humid summers also favor roses that shrug off leaf disease.
Hardiness matters more than the label on the tag. In Pennsylvania, a rose bred to be hardy in Zone 4 needs little to no added protection when it grows in a Zone 7b garden.
| Rose type | How it does in Pennsylvania | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy shrub roses (Knock Out, Explorer series) | Perform well without extra protection | Bred to take cold winters |
| Old garden roses | Often extremely tolerant of cold | Naturally hardy, and most bloom once a year |
| Hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas | Need winter protection in cold winters | Not reliably winter hardy |
| Climbing roses | Some are not reliably hardy and may need cover | Canes can suffer winter damage |
Miniature and polyantha roses vary, with some hardy and some needing cover, so check the plant tag. Once-blooming roses, including old garden roses, ramblers and many climbers, flower on last year’s wood, so they are pruned right after they bloom and never in early spring.
When to Prune, Feed and Protect Roses in Pennsylvania
The rose year hangs on a few key dates. Winter cover comes off as spring warms, pruning follows while buds are just beginning to swell, and feeding starts right after. Each task has its own months in Pennsylvania.
Pruning here means repeat-blooming roses such as hybrid teas, floribundas and modern shrub roses, which bloom on new wood.
| Task | Timing in Pennsylvania | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Pruning repeat-blooming roses | March and April; February can work if the forsythia is already blooming | Early spring, when the forsythia blooms and the winter protection is off |
| Feeding | April through July | After pruning, at first bloom, and again in mid-July |
| Putting on winter protection | November, or December | Wait for several killing freezes so the plant is truly dormant |
| Taking winter protection off | March and April | Once the ground thaws in spring |
Stop feeding after July, since late feeding pushes soft growth that cannot harden before winter. For removing a mound or cover, Pennsylvania advice is to wait until the weather warms and lows are not forecast to dip below 20°F, then pull the mound away gently from the base. Pruning in detail has its own page.
How Rose Care Dates Change Across Pennsylvania
The months above fit the southeast. Elsewhere in the state, spring arrives later, so planting, pruning and removing cover shift later too.
- Philadelphia and the southeast: Winters here are milder than in the north, so bare-root planting and uncovering canes can come at the early end of the March and April window.
- The northern tier: Spring runs later here, so wait until the ground thaws and the buds begin to swell before pulling cover or pruning. Winter protection matters more for tender roses.
- The Alleghenies: Higher ground also runs later in spring, so lean toward April for planting and uncovering. Choose hardy shrub roses to cut down on winter work.
Buds and the ground, not the calendar page, make the final call in every part of the state.
Where to Get Rose Advice in Pennsylvania
Penn State Extension publishes rose care guidance written for Pennsylvania conditions, and each county has an extension office that can answer local questions.
- Its website offers articles on protecting roses through Pennsylvania winters, useful before November cover goes on.
- Your county extension office can help diagnose leaf spots or dieback, so bring a sample of the affected cane or leaf.
- A soil test through the county office is worth doing before planting, so the bed is ready when bare-root roses arrive in March.
Common Questions
Can You Plant a Rose in July?
Yes, a container rose can go in through midsummer in Pennsylvania. Water it regularly while the roots settle.
Do Hardy Shrub Roses Need Winter Cover in Pennsylvania?
Hardy shrub roses such as Knock Out or the Explorer series perform well without extra protection. Tender types like hybrid teas are the ones that need cover.
Should You Fertilize Roses in the Fall?
No. Stop feeding after July so new growth does not stay soft going into winter. Winter cover is the fall job, after several killing freezes.