It is 106 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix, Arizona today. My guess is that they look like sticks, because their leaves were scorched and fell off. Planting in April in your climate is late. Roses should be planted in mid October, so they can put on enough growth shade their canes in summer. The first summer is the toughest. I've had roses that didn't make it.

West facing areas get hot afternoon sun. Your roses will do better with morning sun and afternoon shade. Can you pot the roses up and place them in an east facing area until they are more mature? I would lay off any chemical, salt fertilizers for now. Roses are semi dormant in that kind of heat. By the way, Lady Banks is beautiful, but known as a "house eater". Have you seen the photos on Help Me Find Roses? Here's a link: Lady Banks.

Best wishes,

Bonnie

I have had them shaded for June and July from the afternoon sun with large umbrellas. - the leaves first turned yellow and then looked scorched and fell off. I'll keep them shaded - how often should they be watered? Thx for your help!!

Sounds so simple but it works. Stick a finger in soil, if it feels dry--add water, if unsure wait another day, if finger feels cool, no need to water. A few times doing "finger test" you'll get a feel for meaning of dry/wet.

Perhaps a good def of dry is the way your finger would feel after sticking it in unrefrigerated flour. Like you don't feel need no rinse it, as nothing stuck. Usually when moist, you will have soil attached to your finger.

Hopefully somebody from your area will post. I keep my roses in full brutal sun. They get ratty, just like I get a tad ratty in summer, ha. Do have a couple of roses in less than full sun and they also get ratty. When I look around in my area at this time of year, most roses have the weather beaten look. I do little about it.

You'll get better input from the Antique Roses Forum, this forum is for Miniature Roses, and doesn't have the same visibility.