I think bugs would look the hole as prime real estate. They cut the budded cane off too close. You deserve a number one rose bush and that Munstead Wood isn't.

I contacted them with the picture. Hopefully they will get back to me. If not I will give them a call.

Any Salvation For This One ?

I would try to plug the hole with pruning paste.

I would not plug the hole with anything. just leave it. It looks scarred over.

Get a replacement from DA because as oldrosarian said, someone erred in cutting off the stem of rootstock too close, but the rose in the photo may grow anyway (or it may not). You've paid for a high-quality plant though so you are entitled to a quality plant.

DA should have good customer service, you are paying premium prices so you should be getting good service.

My first thought is to plug the hole. I have never heard of pruning paste..

It seems a shame to not give if my best effort as the top is loaded with life. That being said, I will ask for a replacement.

Poor Munstead

It's rather ugly, and the way I plant things is to bury anything like that with the graft well below the soil level, and just let it got on with life... I haven't got time to fuss, but I would also have told Austin's about it, including the photo, just so they know and see if I got any response.... a little hint at some disappointment doesn't go amiss... but I agree very strongly with anyone who says you shouldn't have to put up with that, considering the prices usually charged... they usually send out another from what I gather...

I have Googled pruning paste and see nothing that looks like that. Is it something called pruning paste does it have a trade name that I can look for ? all I saw was things for treea

Pruning paste or pruning sealer. Usually a thick gooey substance, grey-greenish in colour which thickens and dries slowly on contact with air. Not really needed when one is pruning clean but quite effective at sealing wounds and cavities. Can't help with brands available in the States but I'm sure there should be quite a wide selection. This is what it looks like http://www.justaddworms.com/2009/07/23/such-a-plum-job/pruning-07/

Well I got my Munstead Wood replacement. Ha ha , it is actually worse than the original. But hey, it is a free rose and I'm sure it will be fine.

It had 4 canes but one was crossing another . It had actually rubbed down to a wound so I removed it.

Ta Da

It does have a healthy root system

The roots look great. The top will catch up.

I know, it will be fine. Now I have 2, so lucky me.

I am doing a pink and white bed but when I got that extra munstead wood I thought I'm going to pull one of the pinks out and put munstead wood between Savannah and Beverly. So it will be Winchester Cathedral, Olivia Austin rose, munstead wood, Beverly, and Savannah.