Hi Traci, I was new last year. I suggest you come on over to the Winter Sower's forum. You'll love it. Plant exchange is not for us this time of year lol. I'm in zone 5 too. welcome to the GW. :)Laura

My all time favorite rose is Mrs B R Cant, but I am not sure if it is hardy to zone 6. It grows here in Richmond on a windy hill top with no protection and no die back though. But it is really big. But oh, soooo fragrant. Blush Noisette is fragrant, healthy, hardy to zone 6, a loveley blush pink, and good repeat bloomer.

I'd not add mulch if you are keeping the fabric plus rocks. I'd worry that the roots will struggle as it is for oxygen. Soil gas exchange is necessary for a healthy rhizosphere; roots and microorganisms emit CO2 which needs to be able to freely exit the soil. Oxygen from the atmosphere replaces the CO2 within the soil's pore spaces...if not impeded by layers upon layers. A healthy mulch layer of an organic substance such as wood chips, bark nuggets, or pine straw is considered best for moderating soil temperatures, conserving moisture, and enhancing (even feeding) a vital soil microorganism population. That's the kind of soil environment that encourages a vigorous, strong root system. I'd plan on covering the shrubs for the first couple of years, using a woven material of some kind, no plastic. Avoid excess fertilization all of the time but never fertilize past the mid summer. Same goes for pruning.....avoid any growth promoting procedure past mid summer. Another good tip for promoting robust root systems more likely to withstand severe cold is to water intelligently. Avoid at all costs the kind of watering that encourages weak, shallow roots. I don't know how you can judge the moisture level of the soil and root ball under weed barrier and rocks, though. If you live in an area that experienced severe winter temperatures this past winter, please know that there won't be anything you can do under those conditions. But those times are the exception (we hope) and shouldn't dictate whether we want to 'push the envelope ' or not.

Welcome : Sept. ends fertilizing Neem is more pesticide it does have fungus born disease control features to some effectivness under light conditions Backing soda dish soap mix what happens when you apply it is it elevates the PH on the leaves and midlews and fungus find an uncoftable home to grow on but it doesnt last very long at keeping a leaf PH changing Compliments to you on your rose choises and the home work you already did too carpet rose is about as easy growing as they get it will boast a very dencly packed foilage and is very winter hardy as well disease tollerant Yes it will grow new leaves its a real hardy rose I have two and I did just two days ago end of season leaf cleaned em it took 45 minutes on 2 different days ( they get bigger than that too ) I dont have any knock outs but I see enough of em to know there as disease tolerant as the carpet rose how to PREVENT mildew born and fungus born diseases has been done by many in differant manners Example I have no idea what Dr Brooners is as I use Serinade to combat these diseases as well K-neem and the backing soda dish soap idea ( yes this idea is more myth then fact I find it ineffective at best ) someone else might use dramatic K in place of serenade there both organic products I am told that dramatic K is not as harsh this disicion is up to you Theyll tell you not to water leaves. the day after it'll rain watering the roots of a carpet isnt that easy I use gloves and lift with one hand and water with the other any rose plant needs good ventilation Go figure huh I just got done saying dencely packed leaves too dont take this the wrong way as it is I only apply the following growing technics to my caprpet roses only ( I dont have any knock outs here ) and only MY CARPET roses grow this way I fertilize them from march till early sept and water em one maybe two times a week if needed during that time I bend stalks for the shape I want it to grow in. I dead head off about 4 realy nice small tree shaped flowering canes per month I will use serinade on them at the same time as my other roses I donot pluck trim or otherwise remove any leaves exept those that got dead headed untill the last fertilizing week Sept this task takes a long time to do 45 minutes a day on 2 different days and maybe one more time befor winter Yep a self tested carpet is in fact disease tolerant I am including a link for you for extra guidance on rose growing and disease information As you read it do enjoy the humorus side of Bob http://www.rose-roses.com/problems/fungi.html#rosewilt