Hi friends. Stopping by to ask a question about roses.

[coffeenap]

My shrub roses are sending out shoots (in northern Illinois). Would I be wise to cut the canes all the way back at this point or would it be damaging? Thanks!

[TygrBright]

1. Is there any way you can cover them?

That might be a better alternative that cutting back at this point. If you cut back now, and the weather stays very mild for awhile, the roses could regard the cutting back as a "starter's gun," as it were, and start going full-tilt. In which case you'll end up with a lot more damage from those late frosts.

Covering them so they don't get much sunlight is a better option. Use non-organic stuff if possible to keep from harboring mildew and disease organisms. If they'll fit under those styrene cones, they are good options, if not, try making a tube of Tyvek around them and filling in with some clean crumpled paper, plastic peanuts or other fill, and then twist and tie the top. Cutting off the light will slow/stop the growth, and the insulation will help the roses weather sudden changes in temperature.

helpfully,
Bright

[OnionPatch]

2. Our roses are still green and growing a little

That's common here in southern California, but everyone says to prune them this month anyway, so it doesn't hurt ours to prune them while they grow. But they don't have to endure the cold temps you have, either, so it's hard to say.

I guess these kinds of things are going to pop up more often as we see the effects of global warming. :( Hope your roses make it through ok. Let us know what you did.