Question
I run a school garden program during the school year in Phoenix, Arizona.  This summer our rose bush did not get watered.  It's still over 100 degrees every day, and even though I've been watering it deeply a few times a week in hopes of seeing some signs of life, it looks awful - dry, dead branches and leaves.  Any hope??

Answer
Most roses will look dreadful in high heat because roses roots go under stress when they weather is as hot as that. If the canes are drying out then it is telling you that it needs more water. I would make dig around the base of the rose bush making a dish to hold the water when you give it some. Then I would put any type of mulch you have in your area, all around the base even in the dish to make sure the water does not evaporate off and the roots stay cool. Prune it back to the green growth. I know the rose books tell you to not water the leaves but this is another way a rose can take up the water almost instantly just like it has rained. The rose will certainly perk up when the high heat stops.