In recent years we have seen a considerable climate impact on the roses we care for. Some of the tougher roses, like the Knock Out varieties have had severe die back and death occur more often. There are a couple of major factors at play here. One, the drier winters and even a couple drought felt summers we have had since 2013 made an impact on plants across the board. Two, the early hard freeze we had going into the fall of 2014 and some of the hard freeze of the spring 2015 damaged plants that had not finished going dormant, or those coming out of dormancy early. Roses were hit by both factors and were caught unaware, leaving their vascular system sometimes damaged beyond repair. The weather is unpredictable most days here in Nebraska, so what can one do?
- Leave cut back until spring, unless there is a stem in danger of breakage from heavy snow
- Add mulch or straw around the base (crown) of the plant in the fall, then slowly uncover as spring thaws things out.
