Sombreuil is theoretically a wichuraiana hybrid, so it ought to be fairly cold hardy.

Hopefully someone from that area will respond with specific suggestions about protecting it. Otherwise, you could contact your closest ARS society and ask about it. Good luck!

Jackie

Hazel, I know a Consulting Rosarian in your area who should know just what to do with it. I'm 99% sure she grows it, or has grown it. Send me an email, and I'll put you in touch with her.

Jeri

I grow it in a rather more protected mini-climate than you, in the Thames Valley of London, Ontario, between Lakes Erie and Huron.

It has never grown particularly long canes, perhaps no longer than eight feet. It is fairly hardy. During this last winter, the temperature did not fall as low as usual, and Sombreuil did not lose a cane. I suspect that if you wrap yours loosely with burlap you might retain its canes through winter. Don't leave any part of a cane exposed, or you may lose that cane to winter burn from sun or wind. I never cover mine, and often loose it to the ground, but I think of it as a sparse bush with long canes. I wouldn't be without it though.

Steve