One thing that many people do not stop to consider when planning to start a rose garden is what climate zone you reside in. Sometimes we only concern ourselves with the amount of sun we get in our area on an annual basis but this is actually not the most important aspect of growing a rose garden. The most crucial thing to know is how cold it gets in your area as there are some varieties that can not survive the extreme cold.



Most experienced gardeners and farmers rely on The Plant Hardiness Zone Map from the United States Department Of Agriculture which gives eleven climate zones for every state in the country as well as Mexico and Canada. Proper use of this information will give you what you need to know to decide what you can or cannot grow.

Wherever you go to buy your plants you will receive instructions for that particular plant that will tell you what is required in order for that species to do well. Don't plant anything without checking this guide first. Even if it is just landscaping you will want to consult the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find your climate zone and learn what to do.

For a government produced product the publication is remarkably colorful and is also very large. The information it contains comes from decades of weather statistics and records tracking the average coldest temperatures in diverse areas of the U.S. All of the regions are distinguished by different colors and Zone 1 is the area with the coldest temperatures while Zone 11 is the warmest with the lowest temperatures above 40F. The zones are as you would expect, gradually warmer as you head south with the coldest zones being found in the north and in areas of higher elevations such as mountainous areas. To find the climate zone for your area all you have to do is go online and click on your region to give you the information you need.

A Lot of people mistakenly believe that roses are more difficult to grow than many other plants but this is really not the case. Like anything that one chooses to grow they will need to be cared for properly and they need regular maintenance but the most crucial part of the equation is making sure that you are in the proper climate zone to grow them. Roses also come in many different varieties with some being more resilient to cold temperatures than others if proper procedures are followed. What is necessary to do is choose roses that have been specifically raised for your zone if you live in a colder area so that you aren't disappointed in the results.