We have deliberately left Royal Bonica's rose buds in place at this late date in the year. Today marks our first snow of the season and the coldest temperature to date. At least two blooms opened this week in spite of the frigid weather. My thermometer read 26°F at 6:30 am, and at present reads 34°F at 1:58 pm. Tonight's predicted low is 19°F! Surely this means the growing season has ended. This rose was planted in 1994, and has never been given winter protection. Furthermore it is a beautiful, floriforus plant.
