Saving a rose bush?

[Lyndish]

Help! I had a lovely rose bush in my front garden which had lasted many years. Until next door's son, with his new lovely driving licence, backed over it. It went down fighting, judged from the damage to the car's paintwork, but half the bush was torn off including the main branches and it only has one surviving section.

Roses are really hard to replant, so I'd be really grateful for advice on how to try and recover it. I've clipped away the damaged section, and given it a feed, but are there any other things I should try?

[MaryB]

If it were me,  I'd clip off the broken (like you did) and clip back the healthy.  I'd give it a regular (as directed) good dose of fish fertilizer, and give it time!  I say it will recover.

[Lyndish]

Thanks. I've been keeping a close eye on it, and it seems to be putting out new sprouts from the crown, so I think it is recovering. The remaining stem gave out a lovely display of white roses, so I can only imagine what it would have looked like if someone hadn't run it over... (grr)

[MaryB]

That's good news!  I can only imagine how beautiful it is!

[NanaBee]

I hope the roses recovered.


I know the upset when you think you’re going to lose a beautiful rose bush. I have a pink one at the front that I’ve had for 20 odd years and it looks like it is dying. I’m heartbroken.

[Kidless]

Sounds like you have done everything you could for the bush.  And to see new growth, you know it's going to be alright.  A horticulturist friend of mine once cut my azaleas back so far I just new they were dead.  However, the next spring they bloomed like they had never bloomed before.  Please send us a picture when your roses bloom. 

[NanaBee]

Thank you, I am really hoping that mine is going to recover. I couldn’t stand to lose it after all these years. It was such a pretty shade and flower.