Our account manager Bradley is here to talk about a disease that affects roses, known as rose rosette virus. Rose rosette is spread by tiny mites that crawl from plant to plant, and can infect all varieties of roses. Symptoms include red leaves, thicker than usual new stems, and excessive thorniness, also known as “witch’s broom”. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other issues, so roses need to be tested to be 100% sure.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for rose rosette, and diseased plants will have to be removed completely, including the roots. You can protect healthy roses nearby by burning infected plants or bagging them immediately. Make sure to clean off any gardening equipment as well to reduce the spread.

If you suspect you might have rose rosette or any other issues and want an expert to come look, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to help!