Question
can I keep my potted rose topiary in pot through winter?  I'd like to keep it in the pot for patio use next year....or do I need to put it in the ground?  If I keep in pot...how do I care for or prepare it for winter in New Jersey..shore area

Answer
You can keep a rose that is in a pot in an unheated area and it will make it through the winter. First let the rose sit outside until the weather is cold enough to make it drop all it's leaves. It is best to make the rose go dormant for the winter naturally and leaving it outside will do that. When all the leaves are gone and the weather is cold (heavy frost every night) then place it in an unheated garage or a room that will be just above freezing. This way it will stay dormant until spring. Give it half a cup of water every month so it won't dry out but don't give it more or the roots could freeze and die. Because it has no leaves it won't need light so a dark place is fine. When the weather starts to warm up it will sprout leaves. Place it then in full light, but still in a cool place  and keep it there until it is warm enough  to place outside. That will be when there are no more hard frosts. This works if the pots is around 12 inches across but if it is a small pot, you will have to keep your eye on it and make sure the soil is moist, just damp. Small pots tend to be tricky to get through the winter. There really need to be surrounded by soil or bubble wrap to keep the roots alive. The other alternative is to put it outside and prepare it the way you do with your other roses just leave the rose in the pot and plant the whole thing.