I know it is the Deer Resistant forum, but thought it was the most appropiate forum to post on.

I'm new to Roses. I did a wonderful trade last year for 2 new starts of a climbing rose called New Dawn. Both great starts. But the bunnies have eaten them down to stubs during the winter. They are still alive, but it's like starting from new again. I have one on each side of an arbor and would like them to get BIG.

Question: how do I protect the base of the rose to a height that the bunnies will not be able to get to it? I would like the protection to be pleasant to look at, but will do anything I need to and just plant flowers to hide the base if need be.

I don't need to worry about Deer, I'm in a subdivision.

Would appreciate ANY advice ... don't know if they will survive another winter.

tma