How in the world are you going to do that if the ground's frozen? I suppose if you could even get a shovel in the ground and could work it out with enough of the root system and soil, you could store it in a cold dark place like a garage until spring comes. Maybe at the end of 4 weeks, late Feb., if you're lucky to have a warm spell, the ground might be semi-workable and you could get the rose out? In my zone 5 that would be iffy. No way you could come back in the spring to move it?

The only idea I could come up with was to somehow insulate the ground surrounding the root in order to warm it a bit. I just have no ides how to do it or what to use....

Unfortunately coming back in the spring is not an option.

Thanks for your reply.

Maybe you could take cuttings and send them to someone in a warmer zone that has experience in rooting them? Is there any cutting sized wood (i.e. around 1/4" diameter) alive (i.e. with the cambium layer green) on the plant at the moment? If so, I would call Burlington roses in Visalia, CA if I were you and have a conversation with Burling there.

I can't imagine a way to get the whole plant out of the ground short of a jackhammer or explosives now.

Good luck,

Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Contact info for Burlington Roses

Now would be a great time to move the rose, it is dormant and wouldn't mind the move. That is if you can dig some of it out. You would need a pic of some sort and an axe to get as much root or as big a piece as possible to take with you. You won't get all of the rose but at least you will have a part of it to start over in your new place. I would keep it in an unheated shed, just keep it watered a bit, out of the light for the next month or so till you can work the ground where you are moving. You will be surprised at how little rose will suffer if you can move it now.

Good luck. I know how it feels to move in the winter and want to take roses with you. Been there, done that! The successes are worth the back breaking labor. :)

Valerie

Cut it hard and bareroot it. You could transplant it into a pot with good potting soil and keep it in the garage that way.

Try thawing the ground out with warm water. Or wrap clear plastic around the base and spread it out on the ground to heat up the soil.

If it fall apart get pieces with some root and cane and pot those up.

And sending a piece to someone like Burling is an excellent backup suggestion.

Here is a link that might be useful: Moving a rose during the dormant season.

SAFTY FIRST That ground is hard enough to break a pick axe and your back all in one swing. I don't think anyone wants to hear how you had to go to a phone to dail 9 1 1 end up delaying your move over a few pulled muscles or perhaps a few stiches.

pfzimmerman has a good idea or two it could work on the water concerns for thawing a frozen ground like yours is always up to you. On cuttings from some this might be worth a shot however I highly doubt that it would work at this time of the year I give three thumbs up on the Burling suggestion

Another idea and perhaps a long shot
There is a group (in my area) called friends of roses concider giving a rose growing group in your area a call(if you can phone call them) and explain your situation to them I am almot certian they will work with you or future owners for a win win result. Aside from your sentimental values a 100+ yr old rose is worth this effort as well.