Question
Dear Lynnette,
I bought a J&P Lover's Lane rose last year and put it in a bigger pot than it was in. I never had a chance to put it in the ground. I am in zone 7 and it is already middle of April, but I don't see any new leaves on it. Could it be dead? How do I know? Is there anything I can try to revive it?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer
If you are getting chilly weather, like many other gardeners in zone 7, then this might account for the rose not growing. However I would take my finger nail and scrape some of the canes. If they are green then the rose is okay, but if they are not green, then it sounds like the rose is dead. You could try cutting the rose way back to about 3 inches, giving it some fertilizer, place it in a warm area and see what happens. Sometimes if the rose is a vigorous one, they will bounce back from damaged growth.