This may disappear before Riku notices it. So.....

And anyone else with info on the subject please add your comments.

Hello Jim

I have changed my technique very little over the last 8 years, and I probably should because of more "statistical anecdotal observational data" - meaning going for another insulating approach with a little less work as this spring was quite a chore to get rid ogf the moss - but I don't have the time or money this year. I would like to try a copy of the professional gardens that use those pool insulating tarps as I read good reviews.

Number 1 observation is the results are very variable (as measured by cane length) and seem the most dependent on the type of rose and length of zone stretch. Zone 4 and 5 are not a real problem to save cane by burying in peat moss.

Again though and generally speaking I have very little snow and long periods of "looking at the brown moss", which means I do not suffer from rampant canker caused by mid winter melt downs and soaking of the moss. However I will still get it and in some cases all the canes can be gone one year and yet another year really good survival. Zéphirine Drouhin is a good example of that variability. Her canes right now are between 3 to 5 feet from starting over this year from next to zero inches on all cane s( I cut them to zero as an inch or two does not count for me anymore. Anyways she bloomed and has started repeating - albeit maybe 25 to 30 blooms.

Simply put for HT's I cut the canes down and mound canes 6 to 10 inches of peat moss. To keep the moss in place I cover with burlap as there is lots of wind here on winter and sometimes no snow to hold it down.

For tall flexible caned climbers, I bend them down and peg them and cover with the moss and burlap. Again be under no illusion things are not perfect, yet my Reine des Violettes
always has between 4 to 6 foot canes to start even after pruning out the winter kill. It gotten to the point I need to prune out the older canes I do not feel they are as productive as they use to be. Louise Odier and Prince Napoleon are stars of this method - other bourbons more variable, though if it were not for the stiff canes of 2 year or more on Mme Isaac Pereire it also responds well to it.

However with once blooming roses that are out of zone ... it's a roll of the dice sometimes. I had roses like Constance Spry behave very well for cane survival ... but over the last 3 years bloom production has gone from dozens to none for a rose that gets to 8 feet. This year there was none and its going next spring as it shades too many better producing bourbons and musks. Some do recover from excessive cold one winter to bounce back and that's such as Charles de Mills who this year bloomed very well ending a down cycle of 4 years with none to one bloom.

Good luck this winter to those wishing to zone bust.