I live in southeastern Vermont USA, zone 5. This summer I planted about 60 roses. Although we have yet to experience a hard frost here, today is the day after a weird Nor'easter that left us with 18 inches of snow. Needless to say, I never got to winterize any of my roses as they were still blooming before the storm hit. This kind of weather event is very unusual.

If the snow doesn't really melt, I am not concerned about my roses as they will be insulated until April. What my worry, and hence, my question, is is will it be detrimental for the roses to have to go through periods of freezing and/or snow, and then semi-melting, if I will not be able to winterize them (due to the ground freezing or snow that doesn't totally melt)? I normally don't winterize until after Thanksgiving as the little snow we normally get before that, it at all, generally melts by the next day.

As I am a beginner to roses, could I also get advice as to what other growers have found to be the best way to winterize? Thanks so much.

My Lady GoDolphin