Location

• The best time for planting roses depends upon your location. According to the article, "Climate Zones for Roses," by Jeri Jennings on the American Rose Society website, "You can grow roses in any U.S. Climate Zone - but some roses will perform better than others - and the task will be easier in some Zones than in others."
  
  The USDA Hardiness Zone shows average minimum temperatures. Knowing what zone you live in will not only help in selecting which rose bush to purchase, but when to plant it. The Helpful Gardener has a chart of approximate planting times for different regions throughout the United States. Wait until this time before purchasing roses from local nurseries. Rose bushes from mail-order nurseries will not be shipped until the optimum planting time for your USDA zone.
  
  

Late Fall

• According to the American Rose Society, roses are planted in the late fall in those climates where the rose can go into a dormant state but will not be damaged from extreme cold temperatures during the winter. During these months, the rose bush is getting established and putting down roots; this gives it an advantage over spring planted roses and will bloom sooner.
  Even in milder climates, roses planted during the fall will need to be watered throughout the winter. They also need an added layer of mulch to protect the roots from the cold.
  
  

Early Spring

• As soon as the danger of frost is past, roses can be planted in early spring. Unless there is a late freeze, these roses do not have to struggle with cold temperatures. Should the temperatures drop below 50, cover the rose bushes to protect them from the frost. Old sheets and towels can be draped over the larger plants; smaller plants can be covered with anything that is larger than the rose, included inverted flower pots, cardboard boxes or gallon jars. Be careful when covering the plants to avoid breaking the rose canes.