Question
USA zone 6 - Southeastern PA: A friend has two rose bushes that were removed because of a landscape redesign about 6 days ago and were planned to be thrown out.  Since the bushes looked healthy to me at the time I 'volunteered' to take them but have not yet picked them up.  I have been told that they are beginning to look dry and the leaves are withering.  Is it still possible to save these bushes?  I do not know the condition of the roots but have been told each bush was removed with a large ball of soil.

Answer
Roses hate to be moved and if thy are dug up when they are growing then they will wilt and die quickly. Sitting around for six days is a long time but if you really want them then this is what you can do. Dig a large hole and fill it up with water make sure the soil is really damp and wet. Cut the rose bush right back to 12 inches and then plant it. Water daily and wash the bush down as you water the roots well. If there is any life in the bushes they will probably wimp along for the rest of the summer and then next spring start to put out new growth. After six days it will be a gamble.