Question
Hi Rick,
A couple of years ago I purchased some climbing roses for my NY home (about 100 miles North of NYC).
The mail order directions said these were appropriate plants for my area but only one plant survived its first winter.  What should I do to protect that plant this winter?  Thanks a lot, John  

Answer
john
i'm in southern NJ.
you can prune them back some to prevent winter damage(prune the ends that aren't attached to any stationery object). climbers don't need much pruning as long as you are training them to climb onto a stationery object. just light pruning-mainly dead branches to keep it healthy. in early spring after new growth starts prune off any dead branches and fertilize them w/a good granular(like espoma rosetone) fertilizer.
for winter prep mound the base of the plant w/mulch(shredded hardwood, root, etc.). cover the graft union w/the mulch about 4-6" up. in early spring after cold weather has gone remove the mulch to below the graft union. that should be sufficient for your winter. check w/a local garden center in your area just to be sure. quiz them on rose care while there.
good luck
rick