It's not uncommon for climbing roses to look a bit worn out after the winter. The leaves are yellow, the shoots are bare. Will they sprout again? In this article you will learn how you can safely identify and treat frost damage.
What to do if climbing roses are frozen?
Tpruned: Recognize frost damage on dark, non-sprouting shoots of your climbing roses. After the last frost, cut back affected shoots and support growth with nettle manure. As a preventive measure, protect the plants in winter with a layer of mulch and wicker mat. Pay attention to hardy varieties like the dog rose.
How do I recognize frost damage on my climbing roses?
If you discoverdark shoots on your climbing roses after winter, you have to deal with possible frost damage. If the shoots are almost black and do not sprout again, they are probably frozen. Wait until the beginning of May to prune to make sure that the shoot is not still alive. If you are unsure, carefully scratch a shoot with a fingernail: If it is green underneath, you should wait and see whether it will sprout later.
Is it possible that frost damage only becomes apparent later?
It is also possible that the shoots only show the long-term effects of frost damagein the following growth phase: The shoots then stop growing and their leaves turn yellow.
How can I save my climbing roses if they are frostbitten?
For frostbitten climbing roses, only apruning helpsWait until the last frost before cutting back so as not to further weaken your plant. Most of the time there are only individual shoots affected by frost damage. Remove the frozen part of the shoot. The shoot should look he althy and green at the interface. If a rose shoot is completely frozen, it must be cut back to ground level.
After pruning, the shoots will sprout again a few weeks later. You can support the plants by fertilizing them regularly with nettle manure.
How can I prevent my climbing roses from freezing?
To prevent future frost damage to your climbing roses, you can prepare the plants for winter in the summer. The plants should no longer be fertilized from August onwards. Before the first frost, you should take further measures that will protect the plant from frost during the winter.
What measures are necessary before the first frost?
- Watering Water your climbing roses thoroughly, but avoid waterlogging.
- Cut backlong thin shoots if necessary.
- Removedead plant parts and the flowers of the plant.
- Collectfallen leaves around the rose to prevent fungal infestation.
- Apply amulch layer of garden soil, compost or leaves around the plant.
- Place aWicker mat or similar around the plant to protect it from sun and wind.
Tip
Choose hardy varieties
No variety of climbing rose is completely frost-resistant, but there are more robust and less robust types. For example, wild forms such as the dog rose are recommended. When purchasing, also look for the ADR seal. The varieties awarded this award require less winter protection, but you should still take basic precautions such as mulching.
