Question
Hello Lynnette,

I live in Lethbridge, Alberta - Zone 3 for the most part.  According to our local nursery, however, the sheltered location
of our garden, right in town, allows us to grow higher zoned plants at times.

I currently live with my widowed father in Victoria, as he is ill.  He is still in the house my parents bought when they
married in 1951, and I enjoy helping out in the garden my mother loved so much.  (I should mention I do not have her
dedication or expertise, but enjoy it all the same.)

There is a rose that has been in the garden since "Day 1" and has been in its present location for 40 years.  Mom
called it a Sweetheart Rose.  Of all the plants in the garden, I have always loved this the most.  I do not know anything
about roses and hope you can help me.

First of all, it desperately needs TLC - it hasn't been looked after for at least 6 years and is looking very sad.  Please let
me know how to prune and what to feed it.

Secondly, is it possible to take cuttings and grow this rose in our garden in Lethbridge?  If so, how do I go about this?

Thank you so much for your help.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Nancy  

Answer
I think the rose you are talking about is called Cecile Brunner and is a China rose. It has tiny pale pink flowers. Google the name and see if it is the one. If not my instructions will still be the same.  China roses like warmth and will grow in a climate like Victoria. But even there, Chinas will get what is called die back which means the tips of the canes will die. I'm afraid it won't live very long outside in Lethbridge as the winter will kill it. However if you put it in a large pot 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep, this rose will do fine for you. All you have to do it place it in a heated garage or anywhere else it where it won't go down to far past freezing. Freezing is okay but not really hard tpe f cold for a long time. Give the plant a cup of water per month. It doesn't have to be in any light as it isn't growing.
In regards to the rose in your father's garden. First cut down to the base, all dead canes. Then cut out any canes below where there is damage or canker (dead brown lesions) Then cut the whole bush back to 24 inches. But before you do, have a container of water ready and put the base of the cut off canes in it. Clean up around the base of the rose and scatter a hand full of any type of fertilizer all around it. Wrap the 8 inch cuttings in very wet paper towels and then wrap the towels in saran wrap. Make sure you arrange them the right way like tips all the same way because you will be planting them when you get home with the tips upward. Place them in the fridge until you are ready to leave. Take lots of cuttings because some won't strike.
When you arrive home just follow the directions on this web site.
http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/hulse.html