Jeannette,
I tried 'Sweet Sue', 'Chasin' Rainbows,' and 'Red Minemo' late last June. I nearly lost two 'Sweet Sue' to rabbits. I nursed them back but never got them beyond new growth, so I never fertilized them. Now I don't know if they're not hardy in zone 4 or if they just never established themselves well enough to survive.

I covered all cultivars with potting soil in November and then added lots of oak leaves about Christmas time. It was June 2008 before I saw any life from any of them. Only 'Red Minemo' survived our very tough winter.

This year, I'll cover the micro-minis with heavier soil and add the leaves sooner. I should mention that 2007 was my first attempt at growing any kind of roses. Was the problem the zone or the grower?

I live very close to U.S. Highway 20, if that helps you compare our areas.

Check out Nor'East Roses for their Growing Tips. Does anyone else out there have recommendations for us? Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nor'East Roses Growing Tips