My mom has Bonica at home and it does really well. She doesn't do anything special to protect her roses, but we do usually get a good snow cover around here. It's a pretty rose. HTH

I'll have to check my CT today for Bonica now!

Roses do best in full sun. If possible find a sheltered spot for this one. For border line hardy own-root roses, plant so the top of the root crown is 4-6" below the soil line. Mulch good and at freeze up time (late fall), cover up good with straw or what have you.

Sharon

I have Bonica and it is one of my favorites. And it has come through another winter for me. That is 2 winters now.

I have it on the side of my veggie garden, not really a protected area and I haven't winter protected it either. Seems to be hardy enough in my garden.

Sierra

Yup, it's hardy for me too. It's in an island bed, and it doesn't get any winter protection, and I've had it for 5 winters now. I agree with Sharon, that you should plant it deep, and then sit back and enjoy hundreds of blooms on it......it's a real show stopper when it's in full bloom!

oh this is so reasuring to hear!! Where I was hoping to plant it, was a somewhat open area, but in the winter, will be under alot of snow (back fence, where all the snow likes to pile up to)
Thanks ladies for planting info too!
Deb

ps..Sharon- since it was raining today, we took a spin up to Wainwright to snoop. Canadian Tire didn't have their roses in, but Walmart had one Bonica left (really good shape) for $10 - same supplier as Canadian Tire roses
Debbie

Well dang you Debbie, LOL, I went to both CT and Wal-Mart and I didn't see no Bonica! I'll keep checking CT if and whenever they get their roses in. As well our Wally is now open till midnight ;)

That's awesome that your mom shares the same hobby.

Sharon

One followed me home today. I picked it up at Peavy Mart.
Others that hopped into the cart today were Prairie Dawn, Prairie Celebration, Felix Leclerc and Hansa.

Shelley

Got one at Walmart Calgary Royal Oak. Whoo hoo! They had about four left. Lots of less hardy roses left there.

But man, the hardy roses are just FLYING off the shelves there. They got a huge shipment of them not even two weeks ago, and now they have four left! Luckily they got another shipment in, still wrapped up.

My mom just bought me one at Walmart. Our local Walmart is selling through their roses fast too.

I should of asked this earlier, but how big does Bonica get for all of you?
Deb

Are you telling me your Bonicas are hardy above the snowline in Canadian zones 2 and 3 ??? I won't believe it until you actually say so. But below the snowline, or just root hardy, definitely.

Rick you made me wonder so I phoned my mom and she says it's got flexible canes so she bends it down under straw and burlap and it comes through with no damage. But no, not above the snowline.

Having very flexible canes is actually a trait I'm looking more for in semi-hardy roses these days... Mme. Plantier for instance is a champ for me because it's almost vine-like in its flexibility and thornlessness.

Debbie, mine gets about 2.5' tall, and it does leaf out below the snowline. But the snow is always at least 3' deep on that bed, so it leafs out from about 12" and down.

Thanks Laurie! I almost planted it behind my Prairie Joy, but after reading your note, I switched them around.
Deb