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jockewing

Protecting roses (fortuniana) from freeze

jockewing
10 years ago

I live in S. Louisiana (N. Orleans area) and tonight we are expecting the coldest temps in over a decade. I am so distraught over the fates of my split-leaf philodendron, shell gingers, calliandras, meyer lemons, angels trumpets and other plants. If my 15 year old, 30 foot Washingtonia palm dies, I will be majorly annoyed.

But should I be worried about my fortuniana-rooted roses? I bought about a dozen of these this summer and planted them this fall. We are expected temps as low as 16-17 degrees, but in my experience I find the forecasts overexagerate and my yard is usually a couple degrees warmer. I expect low 20s. I mounded up some pine straw to cover the base and over the graft point. Should that be enough?

What about my potted non-fortuniana (Dr. Huey) rootstock roses? Are they OK out in the elements, or should I at least put them up under the covered patio?

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