I planted 4 rose bushes last year and they didn't do a thing. This year they look dead. how do I save them?
Answers:
Roses typically do look dead from season to season. Last year did you plant them at a strange time. Like fall or late summer? If you did they may have gone into their dormant state early from the shock of being planted. Give them about 6 weeks if you don't see any little leaves or new growth I would say they are probably dead try getting a rose bush fertilizer and try to boost it a little see what happens.
Other answers:
If they are dead they are dead,but if there is some sign of life then water well and fertilize and feed
If they are dead they are dead,but if there is some sign of life then water well and fertilize and feed
Roses can be very difficult. The best thing to remember is to prune them back around Valentine's day. If you didn't prune them this year you still can, just not too drastically. Cut at an angle underneath a set of five leaves. Spray them occasionally with a bug killer or anti-fungal.
Good Luck
some of the previous answers look pretty good, i will suggest that you "deep" water them.ie: put the hose on at a trickle, and let it soak up at the base of the rosebushes for several hours. If there is still any life in them, you will see it.
are they showing any signs of new budding coming out, the green shoots, if not they may be dead and you may need to throw away, if they have some shoots coming out prune them back, i have a rule of thumb when pruing, only take off the brances from your knees up, which helps give you a guide on inch wise
It's not uncommon to lose a rose bush or two during winter...especially in colder climates, of course. Bend a branch or two...if it's dry and snaps off, it is probably dead...if it bends and is green inside, just give it a few weeks...it will come back!
Prune them back as much as you can. Look on the stems and see if you see any green if so then water and use some fertilizer on them and water everyday, until you see them start to come back out. They are pretty tough as a rule.
Good Luck and Happy Gardening