I had been wrapping my rose canes with burlap for the winter, but now that most of them are well established I just let it slide this year. My mistake.
I have at least one *resident* hawk who visits daily throughout the winter but it doesn't want the rabbits, it just wants my song birds. We also have coyote running along the property line at night too, but they must not catch the yard bunnies.
I doubt I'll shear back the climbers since they just now have grown to the top of their arbor, but I'll likely cut back the stumps of the shrub roses and see what happens. If I see good signs of healing in the meantime, I may just leave them be. I'm hoping that these kinds of wounds might heal over just like a pruning cut would?
As long as they can do so before insects or disease gets in them, perhaps they'll be okay.
I'll definitely plan on wrapping any survivors next year.
I'm especially bummed about Chloris. After waiting two years, I fully expected to see the first blooms on it this year.
Thanks for all of the input!
