Roses

Hi All, what should I do with my rose that looks dead after the long winter? There is a small bit of new growth at the base.
Geo

 

Not a rose authority, but I cut mine down (clip right above a thorn), even almost to the bottom if necessary. I find that encourages new growth. Also a little Miracle Gro helps.

 

Well, I'm no master gardener either...but I cut ours back to about 3 main canes (those are branches in rose speak) about 1-1.5 ft from the base, and prune off any root suckers (new growth coming through the soil or bottom of the main plant). I normally do that about a month to 2 months after the leaves have completely dropped in the winter. Back in VA we did it on Valentines Day. Out here our winters are so mild you have to go by eye.

Use some slow release rose food 3 times a year.

This is how ours look and they just started greening up about a month ago. They'll easily grow up to the eaves by fall. Already had two rounds of blooms and they need watering today...I skipped a few sessions.

 

If it is coming from below the graft.....it is root stock.