I used to pride myself on the way my roses flourished. Then the back garden became more shady and the roses less plentiful. I could accept that as I would rather have the shade in the excessive summer heat we now receive. Roses require a minimum of six hours of sunshine to do well. Then, this last winter happened and I don’t know what is wrong with my ‘Heirloom Rose’ bed which does receive more than adequate sunshine.

These pictures clearly show the stunted growth and chlorotic leaves. (Leaves lacking in green chlorophyll)

This is how they some of them look even after a summer of pampering. They are very ‘chlorotic’ looking and are stunted in their growth. The varieties include ‘Charles Albanel’, Moje Hammerberg’ and ’ Monte Rosa’. I just hate to lose them as it appears we now have no suppliers of these heirloom roses in Canada anymore.

Firstly a wet fall in 22 suddenly transitioned to a very cold spell, -20C.  I think the sap must have been running well and then, boom, everything froze before the plants were ready. Turgid cells burst and resulted in a lot of top kill. Of course I didn’t realize until spring as that is when the surprises became evident. I theorized that the strong sunlight may be damaging them although it never has before but the climate has changed and I notice many things in the garden that are different. I also have plentiful deer who like to graze in my front garden. I usually manage to keep the damage to a minimum with Bobbex and a handy broom. Their nibbles have not affected the shrubs before.

 All my roses had suffered this last winter of 2022 to 2023 but after some fertilizer and deep watering the Morden Explorer Climbers made a surprising recovery. The old species roses not so much. I have fertilized them, treated the soil with Aluminum Sulfate thinking maybe the soil has reverted to its natural very alkaline state. A good top dressing of this should help neutralize the soil and bring it back to a more balanced Ph.  I am guessing however. Roses tend to favour a more alkaline soil generally. I am now pondering the idea that they are maybe iron deficient. I don’t know whether to treat the soil this fall or wait ‘til spring

So there we are. I am asking if anyone has suggestions to nurse these beautiful old and very fragrant roses back to health?