Oh how saddening it was to see that dreaded "witches broom" growth show up on my Roses, one by one. While this was going on, I couldn't bring myself to add new Roses to the garden. Instead I focused on other flowering plants to fill the void, and kept close watch on all the remaining Roses, disposing of any that showed symptoms. With each one, I first attempted saving the plant by cutting off the infected cane, but after symptoms showed elsewhere, they were dug. I only had success saving a plant once, 'Folksinger' had one infected cane in 2013 that I removed, and in 2014 showed no new symptoms, and performed better than it ever has.
I believe the culprit plants, invasive multifloras, have been located and removed. I don't believe natural resistance has much to do with the survival of those Roses that remain, because there are a couple of healthy 'Double Knockout" plants in the garden, and they're known to be prone to the disease.
We had a rough winter last year, that really did a number on all the Roses in this area. My giant 'Leontine Gervais' was killed back to the trunk (..and removing that mass of dead canes from the arbor was not fun, LOL). Even hardy shrub Roses in the area suffered a lot of winter kill. Although Roses throughout this area seemed to struggle to recover this year, it was a good growing season, with more summer rain than usual.
So now, I get to order some new Roses!
Getting my Palatine order in first, as they do sell out of many selections quickly, and considering several from Chamblees. After a few years of not considering Roses, it seems the number of sources for grafted plants has dwindled. Where is everyone ordering bare root Roses from these days?
Some of the much appreciated survivors, Ballerina, Red Fairy, and The Fairy.
