The raised bed means the soil will get colder than usual and give less protection to the roots and base of the plant. However, the heat leakage from the house and the very sheltered location would probably counteract that.

The key thing is to keep the graft from freezing. How high have you set the grafts in relation to the soil surface?

Presuming the grafts, the lumpy part where the canes join the root stock, have been planted 2- 4" below grade, I wouldn't worry too much about them. You are likely going to lose the canes to winter where you don't cover (and I never), and with them any fungii overwintering there-- good riddance.
Steve.

My roses are in a 2 foot high raised bed on the west side of my house, but not against the house, in a free standing bed. They have wintered just fine for me for the 3 years they have been in there. The grafts are planted 2 to 4 inches below ground and I mulch them with shredded leaves and new garden soil about 8 inches deep. I used collars the firt year but haven't since. I mound the leaves around and then place the new soil on top to hold them in place. Hope this helps.

Hmm. I don't think I have placed the grafts low enough. You can see them on top of the dirt. So should I place another 3-4 inches of dirt on the top of the bed after the first frost?

I don't think 3-4" would be enough. The mound always shrinks by half before spring. It might be worthwhile replanting the roses in mid-November or whenever frost stops growth.

I used my first raised bed last year. I only had three
roses in it with a lot of perinials. Let Freedom Ring,
Home and Family and Judy Garland. We had a late freeze
this year and I lost 15 roses. Only one of these three
got it. Judy Garland. One of my DW annual roses. Itis a Zone 6 rose. Should have never put it there in the first place. So I would say that I would winter it just as any other roses. I have two new raised beds this year.

John

What if I put 4 inches of new soil on top and then mulched it up to a couple more inches with leaves or peat. Think that would be enough? Of course it would depend on the winter we have. We could have 15 below zero or not even get to zero. The weather patterns are so weird now, who knows what to expect.

We had a very cold winter last year. I usually put about 7 inches of mulch on top and then the snow finishes off my insulation. I picked up some straw at a farmers for 4 dollars a bail and it covered them all because of the lack of snow.
I think I will use this method again.
Liane

marysy, I think michaelg has given you some good advice. Go ahead and do it this year while they're young, or you're going to run into the same issue every year.

Barbara

You'll find it easier if you replant them. I have a couple of roses where the graft is too high and last year I covered the graft with a mound of soil. They survived, but now they're too big to replant easily so I'm going to have to be careful about protecting them again this year.

I looked at the depth of my raised bed and figure I have about 4 inches to add additional dirt. Then if I mulch on top, I hope I will be alright. All 5 bushes are doing beautifully right now. Though not as much bloom as I would have expected, but they are new and young and I will hope for more next year. Thanks for the advice.

Mary, that sounds good. I didn't realize you were talking about changing the depth of the whole bed. Roses will survive a sudden change of 4" in the soil depth. However, it would be best to add 1" per month starting now.

Thanks, I will add it gradually. I appreciate the advice.