Are My Roses Dead?

Canes

• Prune roses in early spring before they produce leaves, but after the last killing frost. Begin cutting canes, or woody stems, about 1/4 inch above the nearest budlet. If canes are shriveled, dark brown or black, with no white or greenish pith in the center, keep cutting until live tissue shows. Sometimes, dead canes go to the plant base. Test all canes this way. If none show signs of life, the rose is likely dead.

Roots

• Many rose bushes appear dead when they are merely dormant. This is especially true of bare-root stock sent by mail from growers. To test root life, gently scarify or scrape roots at the plant base. Live tissue shows a white or greenish color. Dead roots are brittle and dry. Perform the same test on roses in the ground. A sure sign of dead roots is when a plant can be easily pulled from the soil.

Rejuvenation

• If canes and roots show signs of life, through their flexibility and interior greenish or white color, prune the plant lightly, leaving stems 8 to 12 inches above ground. If roots show life but canes do not, heavily prune the plant, removing lifeless stems to about 2 inches above the base. At the same time, loosen soil around the plant to aerate roots and apply specialized rose fertilizer. Water slowly and deeply, saturating surrounding soil.

Replacement

• Before replacing a dead rose, determine its cause of decline. A nursery or garden center expert can help identify diseases and pests that kill roses. The local cooperative extension service can also assist here. Diseases such as crown gall, oak root fungus or root rot require soil sterilization prior to new plantings. Soils tests show nutrient and pH levels. Add soil amendments, such as phosphorus, magnesium and iron, before new plantings, and ensure good drainage.