Protecting the crown of roses with mulch, especially in cold-climate regions, is very important. That is the place where the desired rose species was grafted onto the hardy rootstock, and it is sensitive to cold and harsh elements. If damaged or compromised by freezing conditions, your roses could die. In terms of letting the lawn grow around the roses, that is not ideal, as it will wick water away from rose roots before it has time to seep down and reach them (you might think you are watering your roses, but you are really watering your lawn). The same will be true with fertilizer applications. Roses like good air circulation. Providing them with open growing conditions (including a ring around the crown) helps with that.
Hi Mai,
Protecting the crown of roses with mulch, especially in cold-climate regions, is very important. That is the place where the desired rose species was grafted onto the hardy rootstock, and it is sensitive to cold and harsh elements. If damaged or compromised by freezing conditions, your roses could die. In terms of letting the lawn grow around the roses, that is not ideal, as it will wick water away from rose roots before it has time to seep down and reach them (you might think you are watering your roses, but you are really watering your lawn). The same will be true with fertilizer applications. Roses like good air circulation. Providing them with open growing conditions (including a ring around the crown) helps with that.