Dunno, but I had to dig up a couple of Mme. Plantiers once and the roots were big and went way down: it was like trying to get out bramble roots. Roses are so drought tolerant that I suspect the sturdier types root deeply, though that's speculation (and rooting style would depend on the class of rose, too). I don't know what the implications would be for a water line.

Melissa

Thanks Melissa. Probably the bigger the rose, and the droughtier and windier the conditions, the deeper the roots. I wonder if Father Hugo is as much of a space hog as Harison's Yellow?

What exactly is the question? If the pipes are sound, there isn't any problem. The pipe isn't leaking water, so for all practical purposes no plants know it is there. If the pipe is leaking, then not only will the roots of practically everything find it, but eventually it will have to be dug up and replaced. Under those circumstances, there will be a backhoe to dig the trench, and it can dig a big rose just as easily.

Thanks MG, I am in the useless habit of not planting anything big directly over water lines - my dad dug most of our farm's water lines by hand in the 40's. Planting trees/shrubs over the line is something that Wasn't Done.

I would be sooooo sad to take them out with a backhoe, but you are right & I will stop worrying about it!

Cheers,
Michelle