We’ve recently made a sad discovery. It looks like our rose bushes are doomed. These bushes are shoulder height to me and full of gorgeous roses. They’re knock-out roses so they bloom from May through November. They have been my favorite part of our landscaping.
But this is what is growing from many of them…
Just by accident we found out that it’s not good… It appears it’s a tell-tale sign (called Witches Broom) of a deadly and incurable rose virus called Rose Rosette. We went to the nursery and asked if there was any hope. “Nope,” he said, matter of factly, “…dig them up at the end of the season.”
What a bummer!
I guess I keep hoping we’ll learn of someone who didn’t lose their rose bushes when this happened… but so far despite google we’ve found nothing that’s offered any hope. 🙁
So disappointing.
Wow, I’ve never heard of this! So sad, that just when they get big and beautiful, this would happen. I wonder what causes it?
The website said it’s caused by a virus carried by teeny airborne mites (they are wingless but small enough to be carried by the wind). 🙁
Also, you must never plant a rose there again th virus goes to the roots and soil.
The bushes can only be trashed or burned. No street side where it would be composted. If you would catch in very early stage of acquired virus you could cut branch to the base and extend life a year or two. Your picture is n-stage which shows up as “witches broom”.
Yes… sadly so… however I’ve replaced this area now with a pollinator garden full of flowers and full of life so I now love it again! Still working to fill it fully with perennials but annuals fill in the gap while I figure that out.