Hello, Robes22. In zone 5, it should be common for the stems to dry out during winter if left unprotected. If you winterize the stems, they will still look dried out most years when you remove the winter protection but, some of them should leaf out. If all Spring growth is from the base by mid-May, that suggests that the winter protection did not work.

I would not worry too much in Year 1 though; this is their first winter in your garden and they are not used to it yet. You seem to be preparing them fine. Suggestions: top with a cardboard so the winds will not dry out the contents of the "cage" much and stop all fertilizing by the end of June so they go dormant on time.

Thanks for the reply. OK ill give them some time and see what happens. I'm gonna mulch them as well and possibly move them next to the foundation of my house

Thanks for the reply. OK ill give them some time and see what happens. I'm gonna mulch them as well and possibly move them next to the foundation of my house