Common Rose Problems & Solutions

What are aphids?  #

Aphids are also commonly known as greenfly, but this term also includes blackfly and species that are white, pink, yellow or mottled.

Aphids are insects that love roses, in particular the younger, softer growth of new leaves and flower buds. They are particularly active in early spring, but are very common garden visitors all summer long.

Will aphids/greenfly harm my rose? #

Although unwanted, aphids are virtually harmless to the rose unless allowed to remain there long term.

The good news is that it shows your rose is part of a healthy and diverse habitat, not one devoid of all insects due to insecticide use.

We would discourage the use of harsh chemicals on your rose as this can have adverse affects on the wider environment, and instead encourage more environmentally friendly methods of removal.

How to treat aphids/greenfly:  #

A few aphids will cause little harm to your rose and will likely be appreciated as food for birds, ladybirds and other predators if left on your rose!

If your rose has a larger aphid issue, there are several environmentally friendly options to treat them:

• Brush them off with a paintbrush, or wash them off with a hose or jet of water.
• Plant herbs such as basil and chives that are a natural repellant to aphids – available in the garden herb seedball mix for easy planting.
• Grow plants for natural aphid enemies like hoverflies – they’re particularly fond of umbellifers like fennel, cow parsley and sweet alyssum. Our wildflower seed selection has a beetle friendly mix, perfect for attracting ladybirds!
• You can also buy and release ladybirds onto infested roses to eat the aphids.
• Many garden birds would also enjoy feasting on aphids, so consider attracting these to your garden with feeding and water stations.
• For persistent problems with aphids, we would recommend a natural treatment such as our Plant Invigorator Spray. This removes the aphids in using a physical action rather than chemical. This particular spray is also a foliar feed, and is wildlife and environmentally friendly.

My rose has arrived with aphids, what should I do? #

We go to great lengths to send out roses which are free from aphids. In the event that you receive a rose with some or your rose develops aphids after a few days, please follow the steps above. Because greenfly are a naturally occurring insect and do little harm we do not offer refunds or replacements for roses with aphids.

What is black spot?  #

Rose black spot is a fungal disease affecting the foliage, and perhaps one of the most common rose problems. As the name suggests, black spot appears as dark purple-black spots on the leaves and stems.

How is black spot spread? #

Black spot needs wet conditions to appear, but even the hottest of summers in the UK are not short of rain!

Spores are easily carried by wind-blown rain, making it difficult to completely prevent. It can also be transferred between nearby plants by wind or contact – for example using the same gloves and equipment, and even pets and wildlife can spread the spores as they brush past. Spores can also lay dormant in the soil over the winter.

Some varieties of rose are more resistant than others, but new strains arise that overcome resistance.

Will black spot harm my rose? #

Although unsightly and easily identifiable, black spot will not affect the health of the rose unless allowed to completely take over the rose. Black spot is a very common issue with roses, and the steps treating it are fairly straightforward. The steps that you can take to prevent blackspot occurring will also help prevent other fungal issues such as rust.

It’s worth noting that black spot may still develop despite your best efforts but not to worry, this is perfectly natural and a gentle reminder that we cannot control nature.

How to treat black spot:  #

When the conditions are right (or wrong!) black spot can develop and spread incredibly quickly, even within a day, so early treatment is best to stop it spreading.

• Remove all affected foliage and dispose of it away from the plant. (Don’t worry, roses are very hardy and this will not harm the plant!)
• There are various topical treatments you can use, such as this Plant Invigorator Spray. This particular spray is also a foliar feed, and is wildlife and environmentally friendly. Affected foliage will still need removing – these treatments are not “cures” but will protect against any further bouts.
• Try and keep the leaves dry when watering. Water in the early morning rather than the evening which could leave leaves damp overnight and therefore susceptible to blackspot.
• Feed regularly to give your rose the best chance of resistance, and mulch in late winter.
• If using gloves or pruners on a rose with blackspot, make sure to wash them before moving on to another rose to avoid contamination.

My rose has arrived with blackspot, what should I do? #

We go to great lengths to send out roses which are free from blackspot, however as mentioned above it develops incredibly quickly in the right environmental conditions. In the event that you receive a rose with some affected leaves or your rose develops blackspot after a few days, please follow the steps above. Because black spot is naturally occurring and will not cause harm to your rose, we do not offer refunds or replacements for roses with black spot.

What is rose rust?  #

Rose rust is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of a rose. Many strains of rust only affect roses.

Rust is first noticeable as orange coloured spots on the underside of leaves. As these mature they turn black, and also cause a distinctive mottling on the tops of the leaves.

How is rose rust spread? #

Much like black spot, rust is a fungal disease that likes damp conditions to grow, and particularly thrives in growth that has little airflow around it.

Spores are easily carried by wind-blown rain, making it difficult to completely prevent. It can also be transferred between nearby plants by wind or contact – for example using the same gloves and equipment, and even pets and wildlife can spread the spores as they brush past. Spores can also lay dormant over the winter.

Some varieties of rose are more resistant than others, but new strains arise that overcome resistance.

Will rust harm my rose? #

Although it can be unsightly, rose rust rarely takes hold enough to affect the health of the rose. Rust is a known issue with roses, with some strains so specialised they only affect roses and no other garden plants. The steps for treating rust are fairly straightforward, and the steps taken to prevent it will also help prevent other fungal issues such as black spot.

It’s worth noting that rust may still develop despite your best efforts but not to worry, this is perfectly natural and a gentle reminder that we cannot control nature.

How to treat rose rust: #

Rust can develop quickly given the right conditions, but the early signs are easily missed as they first appear on the underside of the leaves. Treat your rose for rust as soon as you notice.

• Remove all affected foliage and stems, and dispose of it away from the plant. (Don’t worry, roses are very hardy and this will not harm the plant!)
• There are various topical treatments you can use, such as this Plant Invigorator Spray. This particular spray is also a foliar feed, and is wildlife and environmentally friendly. Affected foliage will still need removing – these treatments are not “cures” but can help protect against any further bouts.
• Try and keep the leaves dry when watering. Water in the early morning rather than the evening which could leave leaves damp overnight and therefore susceptible to fungal infections.
• Feed regularly to give your rose the best chance of resistance, and mulch in late winter.
• Grow roses with lots of room around them so the air can circulate, and prune out any congested growth.
• If using gloves or pruners on a rose with rust, make sure to wash them before moving on to another rose to avoid contamination.

What is powdery mildew?  #

Rose powdery mildew is a fungal disease, that is usually noticed first on the leaves but can appear on any part of the plant.

It appears as a white, powdery growth, and can disfigure leaves and buds if left untreated. New shoots and leaves are more susceptible, and will often appear after the temperatures start to rise.

How is powdery mildew spread? #

Much like other fungal diseases, powdery mildew is spread via airborne spores, and can lay dormant over the winter. However, unlike other fungal problems, mildew does not need extended periods of damp or wetness to spread, and in fact does not like direct contact with water.

This means it is more often an issue during dry summers, and particularly likes high air humidity, dry soil, and poor air flow.

Will powdery mildew harm my rose? #

Powdery mildew is a common garden issue, but is easily treated. An advanced infection can disfigure leaves and cause buds and stems to fail, but it is noticeable before it gets to this stage and so treatment can be swift. The steps to treat mildew are straightforward, and the preventative steps include good garden hygiene that will also help prevent other issues.

As with all garden issues, it’s worth noting that mildew may still develop despite your best efforts but not to worry, this is perfectly natural and a gentle reminder that we cannot control nature.

How to treat powdery mildew:  #

• Remove all affected foliage and stems, and dispose of it away from the plant. (Don’t worry, roses are very hardy and this will not harm the plant!)
• There are various topical treatments you can use, such as this Plant Invigorator Spray. This particular spray is also a foliar feed, and is wildlife and environmentally friendly. Affected foliage will still need removing – these treatments are not “cures” but can help protect against any further bouts.
• Water regularly to keep the soil around the roots moist at all times.
• Feed regularly to give your rose the best chance of resistance, but avoid using too much nitrogen as this can encourage lots of new, soft growth which is susceptible.
• Mulch in late winter to aid soil water retention.
• Grow roses with lots of room around them so the air can circulate, and prune out any congested growth.
• Plant in full sun whenever possible.
• If using gloves or pruners on a plant with mildew, make sure to wash them before moving on to another plant to avoid contamination.

What is nutrient deficiency?  #

Nutrient deficiency occurs when the rose is struggling to obtain all the nutrients it needs to grow.

It can present with a number of symptoms, including weak stems, discoloured leaves, buds that fail to open, and increased susceptibility to other issues such as blackspot.

Will nutrient deficiency harm my rose? #

Yes, left unchecked nutrient deficiency will harm the growth and health of your rose. It is a sign that your rose is struggling, and not only will growth be weak and stunted, but your rose will be more susceptible to other issues.

The good news is that it is easy to treat, and regular feeding helps avoid the issue entirely.

How to spot nutrient deficiency: #

Roses need three main nutrients to thrive: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Deficiency in any nutrient will lead to weaker growth, lower overall health, and greater susceptibility to diseases. As each nutrient supports a different aspect of growth, they can display slightly different symptoms when deficient.

• Nitrogen (N) – Nitrogen deficiency leads to weak stems, slow growth and yellowing leaves. However, roses need a balance of Nitrogen; too much and you get lovely strong, leafy growth but a lack of blooms.
• Phosphorus (P) – Weak stems and dull foliage can also be a sign of Phosphorus deficiency, as well as buds that may form but fail to open.
• Potassium (K) – Plants that are lacking in Potassium have lower overall health, as well as weak stems, yellowing or browning of leaves, and small flowers.

How to treat nutrient deficiency: #

If your rose has a nutrient deficiency, we’d recommend feeding with a rose specific feed as soon as you notice the problem. Foliar feed or liquid soil feed are quickly absorbed, and will give your plant a quick boost of nutrients that is easily accessible.

If your rose is showing outwards signs of struggling, it may also be advantageous to remove any affected growth by pruning out the weak stems and discoloured leaves. This ensures that its energy is put into making stronger and healthier new growth with the nutrients it now has available.

To avoid this is the long-term, mulching each year with a good quality mulch substance is recommended, as well as regular feeding throughout the growing season. See our feeding guide for more information.

What is a sucker? #

All roses are grafted onto a root stock, which can sometimes start to make growth of its own. This is known as a “sucker” – the base rose making growth instead of the grafted variety. These are common and nothing to worry about, but we’d advise that the unwanted growth be removed.

How do I identify suckers? #

Suckers have several identifying features, but the main takeaway is that they will look significantly different to the rest of the growth on the rose. Look out for the following growth:

• Pale green or silvery-grey foliage
• Elongated leaves
• Often 7 leaves per group
• Smooth stems with no thorns
• Light green, softer stems
• No flower buds
• Grows from very low down, almost under the root core

Suckers can sometimes be mistaken for new, fresh growth of on the rose. If you are not certain, just leave it for a few weeks for the differences to become more noticeable.

Will suckers harm my roses? #

Suckers do not pose any threat to your rose, it’s just unwanted growth from the root stock. However it is advisable to remove them, as growing suckers will redirect the roses energy and nutrients away from the growth that you do want!

How do I get rid of suckers? #

Suckers usually grow from very low down, almost the underside of the core. Try not to just cut them off as they will regrow. The best way to remove them is to apply firm pressure to the base of the sucker stem, as far down as possible, pushing away from the root base. It should then simply break off from the base. Disposal in regular garden waste is absolutely fine – it’s not diseased, just unwanted growth.