Rose Gardening - Suitable Climate Zone for Growing Roses

If you want to have a lush, colorful rose garden this year, but sure to look at which climate you live in. Some roses do great in some climates, but die in others, so it’s helpful to know if your area gets enough sun or even too much sun for your roses to thrive. Gold temperatures can also make a big difference in your growing success.

Know Your Zone
The most reliable way to grow roses is to know your zone. If you can find a USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, this will help you significantly. You can find out which of the 11 different climate zones you are located in, including all 50 United States, Canada and Mexico. This will help you figure out what you can and cannot grow in your area.

The map seems very large and colorful, but it can provide you with a lot of good information. The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and the United States Department of Agriculture combined to make this map. They will track the lowest temperatures of the region and the annual rainfall.

Each color represents a different zone. Zone 1 has the coldest temperatures of the region, where the temperature can be as low as 50 below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, Zone 11 has a low temperature of only around 40 degrees each year. As you can imagine, different plants and roses will thrive in Zone 1 compared to Zone 11 and these different species will need remarkably different environments in which to thrive.

Understanding your region and the boundaries of the different climates will help you grow in the right zone for your plants. If you have access to get online, you can locate a map and see where you are and which zone you correspond to.

Why the Map is Important to Rose Gardening
Roses have a bad reputation as being very difficult to grow. They aren’t as tough as many people think, although they do require research, patience and some determination. They will require regular care and maintenance to make sure they are successful. The appropriate climate is very important. There are many different varieties of roses and some are hardier than others, which means they will work better in the cooler climates. If you live in a lower-numbered zone, which means that it is colder, you will want to look for roses that were specifically bred to live and be successful in that zone. After all, who wants to buy roses that look great in the pictures, but don’t work out at all in the garden.

Don’t waste money and time on roses that weren’t bred to live in your zone or garden. Be sure to check out a zone map before you make your next rose purchase. It could save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. When in doubt, go to your local nursery and ask questions to make sure you are getting the right rose for your garden. The rest, as they say, is up to you!