Roses changing color

[Pete O'D]

I live in Philadelphia I planted a white rose bush two years ago. This year the roses came out dark red could you tell me why.

[The Helpful Gardener]

I suspect that the red roses are canes that are springing from below the bud union, and your white rose that was grafted onto the red rose died in the harsh winter. Only good explanation I have (barring elves replacing one rose with the other)...

Scott

[Guest]

I agree - the red rose is the rootstock onto which the white one was grafted. Check the leaves, they should be quite different. If you want to save th ewhite one, you have to trim off the rootstock "suckers" as far down as possible.

A

[The Helpful Gardener]

It may well be that the root stock is the only surviving part of the rose...

[The Oldrosarian]

Instead of your white rose you now have an understock rose called Dr. Huey. Which by the way can make a nice tall bush if fed and watered well. Cutting the suckers off just acts like puning a rose and this will encourage Dr. Huey to grow more vigorously. The best way to get rid of suckers permenantly is to dig down alongside of the bush, grab a hold of the cane and yank them off. This causes a wound which the rose will heal leaving a scar that will prevent any more suckers from starting. The oldrosarian

[The Helpful Gardener]

Thanks Oldrosarian!

We could use an old rosarian around here; hope you decide to stay on...

Scott