Rose Bush Advice

BillyD · Post by **BillyD** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:58 pm

Hi folks, I'm new to this forum so be gentle.

I just moved into my new home 3 weeks ago and discovered I have a rose bush in the middle of the perennial garden. For some reason I hadn't noticed the bush before during the three pre-purchase visits. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed it if it had bloomed.

Need I add that it's kind of feeble looking?

My question is, what can I do to help it survive the coming winter and perhaps get a good start in the spring? I live in the NorthEast, upstate NY.

I've never had a rose bush to care for in my prior years of gardening, so I don't even know where to start. No offense to you rose fans out there, but I've been under the impression for years that they're kind of fragile and needy, which is why I've never found time for them.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:10 pm

Hello BillyD!:)

Well, if your rose bush is not very large, I would only trim it down some soon. In the next 2-3 weeks. Put mulch or something around the bottom of it to keep it nice and snug over the winter. Then let it be until early spring, and feed it and see what happens.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:29 pm

I wouldn't trim it at all right now. Chons has the right idea with the mulch

though if you live in a particularly cold area. I don't mulch mine but we

don't get too very cold here.

I trim mine in late January. But I'm in SF Bay Area. In your area, I'd

wait on that, even until you see the teeny tiny buds starting.

It can be cut back to about 12 inches from the ground, to 3 or 4

"canes". Try to open up the center of the bush, make it a "vase"

shape. Don't worry if it looks AWFUL... I've been doing it for almost

20 years and every year I still cringe and think I've killed them, and

haven't lost a one yet!!

Your mulch can be just about anything, hay, leaves, what have you.

:yh_flower

And welcome to the Garden!! And congrats on your own home!!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:32 pm

It is different in California-with my roses there, you trim them mid-January. What is it, two weeks after the full moon then? Here in the east, you trim them in mid-October-it is very strange. It took me awhile to get used to it. I have a Mr. Lincoln rose bush in front, and that task awaits me in a week or two-it is trimmed every October, and right now has branches almost reaching the roof of our two story house! They sometimes take the straw for Halloween and lightly pack it around the plants, to put them to sleep in the winter time.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:34 pm

VERY interesting Chons, I didn't know that thanks for the lesson!!

Amazing that they "know" and don't start new growth right after trimming.

:-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:40 pm

If Weeder pops on, she is the plant expert. She would give the best advice.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:58 am

Hiya Billy,

a rose welcome to FG. I was going to suggest asking Weeder too! I don't know much about roses...but I can send you some bunny pellets to sprinkle on them if you like!

Have fun in both gardens - yours and ours!

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:58 am

If the bush is smack in the middle of a perennial bed, chances are the previous owner didnt plant it there. If it is feeble looking, it could be a cane that was left from a primary bush that was pulled out. Or not a hybrid rose, but one more like the wild type you see growing in the woods. But, since you are in upstate New York... Where it gets very cold, I would follow the advice the girls gave you, and not prune it until spring. If there are long skinny canes whipping about, just cut them to a length that will prevent damge. The mulch or straw was a good idea also.

If you are interested in growing roses this coming year, there are varietys now that do not require the care that hybrid roses do. Disease free, they also do not require chemicals. Look for Knockout roses, or rugosa roses or landscape shrub roses.

BillyD · Post by **BillyD** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:15 pm

Thank you ladys for the advice, not to mention the gracious welcome.

Sounds like I will mulch over the winter and wait until spring, perhaps April, to cut it back a bit. At that time I'll also fertilize the baby and wait and see how she does.

I almost forgot I had posted a query earlier this week. . . I'm still quite busy getting settled. I pray I'll never move again, but that's just fantasy.

It's been 4 years since I had a garden, and I'm thrilled to be back. Today I planted two Azalea, scouted out a location for a Bleeding Heart, and weed-whacked the overgrown vegetable garden. I plan to plant a couple heads of garlic tomorrow . . . I think.