Gotta be honest, I would dig it out and plant something I wanted. It doesn't look vigorous and if they didn't know much about plants they could have used whatever. There are so many great roses out there I'd choose my own!

Ditto on what lilyfinch said...

But you can cut the dead canes out anytime without hurting it...

Some of the dead canes have some life in them and leaf buds towards the bottom. Didn't catch it dormant as everything here woke up in February after an 80° week, just didn't want to mess with it.

I'm probably going to stick it somewhere just because I'm curious as to what it is, but I think a K&M will be going there shortly if I can get a cutting to root.

Maybe try putting it in a large container with potting mix???

I would have to see it bloom as I would be curious it might be something really pretty. If you get a cutting to root - its going to take some time for that cutting to get going. Can you give it a bit of fertilizer to give it a boost? I have a hard time tossing any plant as it might be something I would like.

That's probably what I'll do. I've got enough I want to put in these gardens anyways. just curious.

Any suggestions for good red climber? I want to cover up a shed at least on one side.

Florentina has been getting excellent reviews! I think the old stand bys - Don Juan and Dublin bay are great too .

I couldn't throw away a mystery. New growth looks good, so personally I would cut away the bad wood, give it some fertilizer, and water regularly as needed. Paying attention to it this year may give you a bloom and what fun not knowing what it is!

Ha, save it! ! I'm in zone 4 and most of my roses look like this. Just prune out the dead growth and give it some fish emulsion or fertilizer of some sort. It will give it the extra umphf to start growing.

I'm with Kelly. It just looks like a typical modern rose in a cold climate.

If you want to replace it with something that will overwinter and perform better, rugosas, Explorers and things like that are the way to go.

The standard red climber is Quadra. It is a very nice Explorer rose.

Most climbing roses are not cane hardy in z5b. Mads suggestion of Quadra is the only very reliable red climber that will cover a large area. It will also be a good bloomer when she matures.

Okay, I figured there were hardy climbers since I envision the New England rose covered cottage.

I often forget that an hour south of me is zone 7.

I'm on the border of 5b and 6 if that makes a difference. I've had pretty good luck with zone 6 stuff but we really haven't had a brutal winter in a few years.

Maybe I'll just put clematis up the shed then, less showy but easy.

Ive had trouble determining hardiness for z5. I see the same plant often listed in one site as 6 and another as 5. I assume this has something to do with rootstock or just misinformation.

Hoping the Miranda lamberts I put in the new front garden survive, but I won't be heart broken. I finally found a lgs here that actually carries a good variety of roses.

Okay, the unknown rose has been moved to a pot. Hanging out in the shade as it's 90° today and beating sun.

On another note since I'm just talking about random stuff now, I want to put a cutting garden somewhere, but we're only on 1/3 acre and most of the garden space is somewhere I'd not like to be cutting from.

Then I saw this!

Oh, and I want a nice red rose where I dug up the mystery rose. Available locally is Drop Dead Red, Mr Lincoln, Legends, Hot Cocoa, and a couple others.

Decisions....

Oh exciting. A tease of color and pretty soon you might learn who this little survivor is.

Tvkzone5b u have such Gud space.. choose ur own... u have a wide choice.. buy from a good nursery.. believe me roses from good local nurseries are healthier than other stuff in the box stores!!red one should be Mr Lincoln ...

How fun! It was worth saving! Wondering if anyone here will now be able to identify it?