Bare-root roses go into Minnesota soil while they are still asleep, and the first leaves of spring tell you the window is closing. Potted roses wait until the cold nights are behind you.
When to Plant Roses in Minnesota
Bare-root roses go in first, in April and May, and potted roses follow in May or June. These dates are for the Twin Cities, the milder south of the state, and the rest of Minnesota shifts with the climate (hardiness zones run from 3a to 5a on the USDA system).
At the Twin Cities, the last spring frost falls between April 17 and April 30, which is why a young rose with tender new growth should not be rushed out of its pot early. The first fall frost arrives between October 11 and October 23, so a rose planted in June has a full summer to root before winter. Bare-root plants are sold dormant and need to be in the ground before they leaf out.
- In spring, plant bare-root roses while they are still dormant and before nearby trees and shrubs leaf out; April and May are the main window.
- In May or June, once severe frost is past, set out potted roses that have been growing in a greenhouse.
- Through summer, keep new plantings watered and feed them from April through July, with the last feeding before August so the canes can harden.
- In autumn, let the rose slow down on its own and stop feeding well before the first hard freezes.
- In November, once the plant is fully dormant after several hard freezes, mound the base and protect tender types.
June planting of bare-root roses is possible, but the plant has less time to settle, so April and May remain the better choice.
Minnesota — the year and the numbers
- State
- Minnesota
- USDA zones
- 3a-5a
- Last spring frost
- April 17 to April 30
- First fall frost
- October 11 to October 23
- Annual rain
- 32 in
- Lawn zone
- cool-season
- Source
- NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate Normals, 32F freeze probabilities · Minneapolis
Which Roses Grow Best in Minnesota?
Hardy shrub roses suit Minnesota’s cold winters and come through without extra protection. The classic hybrid teas, floribundas and grandifloras were bred for warmer climates and need a winter mound to survive.
Once-blooming roses, such as old garden roses and ramblers, flower on last year’s wood, so they are pruned right after they bloom and never in early spring.
| Rose type | How it does in Minnesota | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy shrub roses | Reliable without winter protection | Bred to take cold winters; Knock Out and the Explorer series perform well |
| Canadian Artist Series | Good choice for cold climates | Bred to be winter hardy and disease resistant |
| Hybrid teas | Can be grown with protection | Bred for warmer climates, not fully hardy in northern areas |
| Floribundas and grandifloras | Need a winter mound | Not fully hardy in northern areas |
If a winter mound sounds like too much work, hardy shrub roses avoid that job. The tender types are worth the effort if you love their flowers.
When to Prune, Feed and Protect Roses in Minnesota
The rose year here follows the mound. It goes on in November and comes off in stages in April, and pruning and feeding fit around it. Spring pruning waits until the winter mound is off and the chance of a hard freeze has passed.
Repeat-blooming roses, including hybrid teas, floribundas and modern shrub roses, flower on new wood, so spring pruning suits them. For the detail of cuts, see the page on when to prune roses in Minnesota.
| Task | Best months in Minnesota | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Pruning repeat-blooming roses | April, May | The winter mound is off and the chance of a hard freeze has passed |
| Feeding | April through July | Feed in April and again at peak bloom, with none after July |
| Putting on winter protection | November | The rose is fully dormant after several hard freezes |
| Taking protection off | April, or May | Take the mound off in stages in April |
Removing the mound all at once exposes soft new growth to a late cold snap, which is why stages work better.
How Rose Care Dates Change Across Minnesota
The frost dates above are for the Twin Cities, and the season shifts elsewhere in Minnesota.
- Northern Minnesota: Spring comes later and fall arrives earlier, so use the later end of the spring planting and uncovering windows and protect roses in November after they are fully dormant.
- Twin Cities and the south: Spring warms earlier and the growing season runs longer, so the early end of each window is realistic.
Uncover in stages in April, then prune once the mound is off and the chance of a hard freeze has passed.
Where to Get Rose Advice in Minnesota
University of Minnesota Extension offers research-based guidance for northern gardeners, and your county office can help with local questions.
- The extension website has rose care guidance, best read in late winter before ordering plants.
- Your county extension office can help identify problems on a leaf or cane, so bring a sample when symptoms first appear.
- A soil test taken in early spring, before the first feeding, shows what the bed needs.
Common Questions
Can You Plant a Rose in Minnesota in Summer?
You can plant potted roses in June, and bare-root roses can go in that month too, though they settle in less well. Water new plants regularly so the roots establish.
Do Knock Out Roses Need Winter Protection in Minnesota?
Hardy shrub roses such as Knock Out and the Explorer series perform well without extra protection, which makes them easy for beginners.
When Should You Stop Feeding Roses in Minnesota?
Stop after July. Late feeding pushes soft growth that has little time to mature before the first hard freezes.