Assessing Bare-Root Roses After Winter: How to Tell If They're Alive

The Scratch Test

If your newly purchased rose bushes show no growth after a month, check viability by scratching the bark on a cane with your fingernail or a knife. Green, moist tissue underneath means the cane is alive. Brown, dry tissue indicates dead wood.

Pruning Back to Life

Cut dead canes back until you reach green tissue all the way around. You can prune as low as 3 inches above the graft union. If the entire top is dead but the roots are alive, the rose may still send up new basal breaks.

When to Give Up

If all canes are brown to the base and no new growth emerges after 6–8 weeks of warm weather, the plant likely did not survive winter storage or planting. Reputable nurseries often guarantee their stock; contact the seller for a replacement.