Question
Hi, I am in zone 4 and put in a number of these prolifically
blooming  roses, and want to know how to best protect them for
winter. The Minnesota Tip method seems way too much.  

Answer
Even though this rose is rated as very hardy, it would be a wisdom to protect it extra well because it was just planted. Just planted roses really don't have time to grow good deep roots. This fall I would mound the bush up with 8 inches of either compost, soil or any mulch you can get in you area. Just leave the top three inches of the bush sticking out. Then if you get a really nasty cold snap the rose bush will be okay. Next year you can then only mound up to about 5 inches because they will have a good root system and will be settled in. Also in your area, never fertilize after the end of July and this will give a rose time to slowly harden off for your cold winters. This is the secret of getting roses through a very cold winter.