Question
Many of my carpet roses died this yr. The others do not look too well, are very short and stumpy, plus have very few blooms. Did my gardener cut them back too much in the spring, or could it be over fertilzation.

Answer
Carpet roses are for lazy gardeners who don't want to fuss. They don't have to be pruned and they grow like a large spider in other words they grow sideways making a graceful shrub. Cutting them severely will make them look like a bad hair cut. They will come back in another year. Over fertilization would make tall, thin canes. Lynnette