Is winter protection necessary for roses?
For our northern states winter protection is a must. But for us in the Midwest the only recommendation is a preventive measure. Summer treatment is the key to winter safety. A rose without plenty of food reserve in its canes, depleted by repeated defoliation from black spot, may die no matter how well protected in the winter. You can lose a few bushes to crowding, too much shade, too deep planting, crown gall and little “critters” but usually not to lack of winter protection. If you feel like protecting your roses a little, it is suggested to mound some soil around the base of your roses. Leaves and peat moss are not recommended for mounding because they retain too much moisture and increases canker diseases. Q) Why do some English holly trees have no berries? I also have some that produce a good berry crop, but when the berry is half formed, they all drop. A) The male or pollen-bearing trees never have berries. Only the trees with the female or pistillate flowers will fruit. The probl
