The first thing I would do is to put a wire tomato cage, deer cage, or some sort of raised border (like fancy metal or concrete edging, etc) around it so that it does not keep getting trampled! A red flag on a stick might also help. I frequently plant bands directly into the garden, but not without some sort of protection. Otherwise 1) something would eat them, or 2) I would forget where they are and fail to water them and keep the rampant growth of other plants from burying them before they had a chance to grow at all. Otherwise, I would just make sure it is getting watered, and watch to see.

Jackie

I always put up some sort of raised barrier, like a segment/link of a 1 foot high edging fence, in front of a newly planted rose. My dog or cat would trample it otherwise. It also serves as a reminder to me that it exists and needs extra care. I agree with Jackie; put something in front of or around the plant. It will have a better chance of survival that way.

I do the same thing. I have green wire fences from Lowe's that are either knee or waist high. I use them for small roses, lillies, and the part of climbers that face the walking path.

Sammy

Yeah, I'm going to do that. It was so far from the driveway I didn't think there would be a problem. I also have flopping crazy daisies that I need to prop up. I just checked on it and even though it's hot and sunny, it hasn't wilted yet. So maybe I got it in time.

I think if she has a good root system, you put a cage around her and give her some extra love, she'll be just fine.

Sandy

Yes, don't worry, soon the rose will be fine again.

I'll just offer my sympathy here.....I could start a new thread and fill it entirely myself with all the trees and plants my yard guys have ruined over the years with their mowers, string trimmers and big feet. It's a terrible job and it's SO hot and humid here in the summers - plus my yard is large so it's a lot of work - I hate to complain but it's still annoying and frustrating.

Lynn

If any rose can take that and come back from it, it would be Mrs. BRC.

I'd take it as an omen that you need to try another clone of Mrs. BR Can't. The thing is enormous and vigorous, so the fact it's still tiny after a year means something isn't right. It is the quintessential rose that needs to mature before it impresses in my climate. I (im)patiently waited for 6 years while it grew to 9 or 10 feet wide before it pushed open the spring flush instead of producing hundreds of balled blooms. It specializes in producing a large amount of lush new growth in the late fall, right as I'm thinking of hacking it to the ground.

berndoodle, it's partly my fault. I had the bands in pots for over a year. They were doing fine out on my deck until we had that disastrous 10 degree day I think in February. By the time I got home from work, Devonesis was already frozen solid and died. The rest seemed fine and started to come out of dormancy. Then we had tons of rain. Some of the pots got too saturated and I guess didn't have great drainage. I lost Monsieur Tiller and Marie Van Houtte. A few, including Mrs. BR Cant did not look great when I planted them, but did have healthy root systems. So it's been struggling along with the weeks of rain/no sun. Then 90 degrees searing sun and had just started to sprout (DH calls it the wee wee rose LOL). So that's what made it especially frustrating when I saw the one itty bitty cane with little leaf sprouts lying on the ground. But so far so good. It hasn't shriveled up yet.

I do have a trip planned to Roses unlimited, so If I do have to replace her too, I will. I've planned this bed for over a year and I am sure what roses I want where, so I have to replace them. I have the fence up now, which is good because my neighbors little dog keeps running in my yard and then the kids come in to chase it down. Yikes.

I've done this so many times, I don't bother counting anymore. I use duct tape, great for rose canes, bad for HVAC systems.

Just shoot the lawn guy. You can get other lawn guys. You just will not be able to find another rose. ;-)

If you put that tape directly on the injury, you could have trouble getting it off and reinjure the cane again. Also, it will be difficult to tell when the injury has healed.
I have good luck with putting a support like a bamboo cane right next to the broken cane. Tie the cane securely to the support with that green stretchy tape. After about month, the injury has healed/hardened up and the support can be removed.

Buford, I was going to say "Call Roses Unlimited!" They ship big plants, but if you're going in person, maybe you can get some REALLY big ones! My Mrs B R is on fortuniana rootstock so there's really no comparing yours and mine, but mine is getting beyond huge. She's 2+ yrs old and 10' - 12' from front to back and probably 8' tall but still spindly. Her main canes don't have many side shoots yet. She has no sides since she sits between two BIG oaks and is giving them a run for their money. I placed her well. She can get as big as she wants. Leave yours room; she will get big for you, too, as will Monsieur Tiller and Marie Van Houtte. That will be a beautiful bed. (Whew! I can't wait for her fall growth spurt!)

Who knows? Maybe you'll have two of them.

Sherry

The little guy is hanging in there! I was wondering if I should take the tape off at some point, otherwise the cane can't get thicker. I'll wait a month and then take it off and see if it heals.

But I guess buying a spare couldn't hurt :)