A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Rose Bush - Is it dead?

Hi,

A friend had the most beautiful white rose bush, it was huge. They cut it back last year, the stock was 4 inches in diameter.Anyways, nothing is happening with it this year, no growth - would it be safe to say they killed it Or can I dig it up and replant it in my yard in hopes with some tender care I could revive it?

I see that you are from Massachusetts. This past winter was quite cold in the Northeast and that poor rosebush could be a victim of it. All my rose bushes have leaves on them by now. I had to cut quite a lot of dead stuff this spring so the cold did affect them too. I always cut my rose bushes back in the spring. That is what my mom taught me to do. If the whole rose bush is dried out then it is probably dead. However, try cutting some of the dead stuff and see if there is still some life in it. If there is, it might just be a late starter.