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Next, Minnesota’s secret to roses in winter:
In a place where winter spares nothing, what could possibly save thousands of delicate roses?
Meet the ‘Minnesota Tip,’ a clever, essential gardening move that’s keeping Duluth’s iconic blooms alive through the unforgiving cold.
As fall descends upon Minnesota, the rose garden at Leif Erickson Park in Duluth is preparing for its annual winterizing tradition. This sprawling six-acre garden, the largest of its kind in the state, is home to over 3,000 rose bushes, and volunteers from the community come together to ensure these blooms survive the winter freeze.
Carol Borich, co-president of the Lake Superior Rose Society, walks me through the process.
“Up here in Duluth, and even down in Minneapolis, we use what’s called the ‘Minnesota Tip.’ It’s a simple but effective technique. We bury the rose’s upper portion beneath the soil to keep it dormant but warm enough to avoid winter damage.”
As the temperatures drop, the city’s parks crew begins by spraying the rose bushes with Wilt-Pruf, a natural moisture sealant that helps them keep hydrated through the winter months. Then, they trim the bushes down to two feet, tying them up with bright orange synthetic twine, a key step in preparing for the “tipping” process.
That’s where the community steps in. Volunteers from all walks of life—students, office workers, and even grandparents with their grandchildren—gather to save these beloved roses. Together, they dig trenches next to each bush, gently loosening the roots and placing the roses down into the earth. The final touch is covering the plants with soil, leaving just a little orange twine visible, marking where the roses will emerge in the spring.
Carol explains that it’s a point of pride for those who take part in this effort, which preserves a legacy of beauty for future generations.
“We tip about 925 roses each year,” she notes. “With an experienced pair of hands, it only takes about five minutes per plant. It’s messy work, but you leave knowing you’ve made a difference.”
Another long-time volunteer who will guide others in the tipping method is Margaret Anderson.
“I love this garden. This is a world class garden.”
Margaret has been a fixture at the garden for 30 years. She’s passionate about these roses, often spending her mornings May through October, deadheading blooms and guiding visitors through the 4 sections of the gardens.
Her favorite rose in the garden? A local variety called “Cherry Frost,” known for its hardiness and disease resistance. Margaret recommends this bloom for those who don’t want to fuss over roses. “It’s perfect for those who don’t want to go through the winter protection process.”
The Minnesota Tip itself dates back to the 1950s, developed by a dedicated rose grower named Albert Nelson. Midwest gardeners found his method to be an essential tool, and it earned its name in 1966 after it was demonstrated at the American Rose Society convention.
But it’s not just the soil that protects these roses.
Carol Borich says the people of Duluth take an additional step to help. Residents rake their fallen leaves and bring them to the Rose Garden parking lot, where they’re piled on top of the rose mounds, creating what Carol calls “a giant comforter” for the plants.
“We build these leaf mounds about six feet tall,” she says. “It’s amazing to see the transformation. It’s a way for the community to come together and protect something beautiful.”
For both Carol and Margaret, this work is deeply personal. “You get to know these roses like neighbors,” Carol reflects. “Some are rich and sultry, others playful and fluttery. The idea that they could perish over the winter drives us to act.”
If you’d like to be part of this legacy, you’re invited to join the volunteers who will gather at the Duluth Rose Garden on October 19th from 9 AM to noon to ensure they safely tip the roses for the winter. Follow this link to volunteer.
As Carol says, “You could say you’re saving a life—a rose’s life. And no matter what happens in your day or in your life, you’re the reason that rose will bloom next spring.”
What’s your favorite rose?
I’d love to know as we continue to Bloom Together Through Every Season!
Diana
P.S. You can pre-order your 2025 Floral Calendar now. Twelve months of beautiful flower photography by yours truly. Calendars are $35 plus shipping and tax. Reply to this email to reserve your copy. Follow this link for a preview video on Instagram.
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