Question
QUESTION: Hello.  I live in zone 7 (Lubbock,TX).  I planted a Double Knockout and a Homerun Knockout in 18 inch heavy containers on my patio.  I'm also thinking of planting a Grandma's Yellow and a Livin' Easy' easy in those same sized pots.  How long will they live in a pot and how I do I winterize the pots when the time comes? I would hate to lose them! Is this even a good idea?  Thank you for your help!  I'm a first time rose grower and am already addicted!

ANSWER: Most roses require a pot that is 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep but because your roses aren't large ones, the pots you have will do. Roses will live forever in a pot if the soil has good drainage, that is the secret. Here is some information on growing roses in containers. The only other thing I would add, is don't forget to cut them back by a third in the spring. Just cut them right across and that will be okay. Roses can stay in pots if they don't get temperatures that activate a very hard frost. If you don't get really cold winters then push all the pots together on your patio into a sheltered spot.
http://www.rosemagazine.com/pages/containers.asp


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QUESTION: Thank you for the quick response.  I found it very helpful!
If you don't mind, I have another question. I just learned that it may freeze two mornings this weekend with the days warming into the 50's.  I'm a bit panicked because I planted several rose bushes in the ground, some blooming and some with large buds.  How can I protect them from the possible freeze and will I lose my buds and flowers?  Thanks for you help!

Answer
Freezing won't kill the rose bushes, but it might make the flowers look droopy. The buds should be okay, as the petals are protected by the sepals covering them. If you don't get any winds, just cover them with wet cotton material, wet newspapers (5 thickness) anything that will stop the frost falling on them. If you have the time to get some, fine bark mulch, compost, steer manure are all good to just pour over them leaving the tops showing. I honestly think though that the frost won't hurt them only perhaps burn the new leaves edges but the rose will replace them quickly.