This is the first year I have seen significant winter damage on my roses since I moved to the mountains. It is also the first year that the snow stayed on the ground for more than a couple of days at my elevation. So, I am trying to figure out what I am seeing and what I am going to do for spring pruning when spring arrives.

We are going through our annual false spring, in that the temps have warmed up and the roses look like they are coming out of dormancy, but I've gardened here long enough to know that any new growth that appears now, will be frozen again in a couple of weeks. Winter is not over. No, the forsythia has not even begun to bloom.

The roses showing damage are not necessarily showing damage at the tips of the canes .. the typical die back, but I am seeing canes that look healthy above and below totally dessicated sections of cane. Huh ? I cannot figure out why there would be healthy growth above these damaged areas of the cane.

I've also noticed that the newest canes from the base of the plants have been hardest hit and look the least viable. Should they be taken off at the base ? I don't know.

No, I don't have wind issues in this garden, but the garden is located at the bottom of a slope and I know cold air moves down the slope and is trapped between the house and the slope. Is this having some kind of impact ?

Do I take this window of false spring to removed diseased or what I think is dead wood or wait until true spring ?

In other words, because this is new to me, I am asking those of you who have more experience with winter damage on your roses to help me see the best way to help my roses as to when and how I prune.

All suggestions are very welcome.

Smiles,
Lyn