Question
Hi! I live in the Denton area of TX, north of Dallas. I bought my house in July, and in the front yard was a large rose bush. The branches were growing tall and very wide to the point that it interfered with seeing the house address or even getting in the front door. The bush seemed healthy and even flowered in September. However, due to the inconvenient growth, I trimmed the branches down a little. I am very uninformed about roses, and perhaps I trimmed too much. All I know is that since the first deep freeze about a month ago, the leaves have turned yellow and brown and even the branches are turning yellowish. I want to save this rose bush, and possibly move it to a more convenient growing spot in the backyard so I don't have to damage it by overtrimming or improper trimming. What could I do to save this bush? Also, is it safe to replant this bush in its current state? Thank you for your time and consideration.

Answer
Hi Victoria-

It would help if I knew what type of rose bush it is - I am assuming it is a hybrid tea - one of the less healthy of rose classes.  The deep freeze last month caused frost damage to the rose bush - you need to prune this off.  After you cut off the dead leaves/branches - make sure you do not prune below the bud union - usually if you keep the height of the bush to 2ft. to 3 ft. minimum that is safe.
Then go ahead and transplant to a better spot in your garden.  The safest time of the year to transplant is in the winter time.  Make sure the hole is twice the size of the root ball, and use good quality gardening soil or rose soil.  Make sure to water it well after planting, and once a week after that (unless it rains).  Put mulch around the base.  Do not fertilize until early spring.  If you want you can add well composted cow manure around the base as a mulch which will increase the fertility of the soil.  In a few weeks around early spring you should see signs of new growth.

Good Luck-

Carlene