Reviving Weeping Roses After Winter Kill

A Zone 8 gardener near Seattle lost the tops of three weeping roses to a late freeze. Mulched roots survived, but tops died. New growth emerges from roots—can they be retrained as weeping standards?

Understanding Weeping Rose Construction

Weeping trees are double-grafted: a rootstock trunk, then a weeping variety grafted on top. Two graft unions need protection: base (cover with 12" soil) and top (wrap in burlap after light pruning).

Root Suckers vs. Desired Growth

Suckers from roots are likely rugosa or wild rose—not the weeping variety. Remove them or they'll dominate. Test by letting a few bloom; they won't match the original top.

Recovery Strategy

• Remove all root suckers.
• Protect base with soil mound each winter.
• Wrap top graft in burlap (not plastic) after pruning.
• If top graft died, the plant reverts to rootstock—consider replacing.

Burlap allows breathability; plastic traps heat and causes mildew or premature growth.