Fertilizer Burn on Rose: Too Much 13-13-13

A rose died rapidly after the owner applied several handfuls of 13-13-13 fertilizer before a rain. The fast-release fertilizer washed through the pine straw mulch and concentrated around the roots, creating a salty environment that burned them. The roots dried up, causing leaves and buds to shrivel and brown.

The solution: replace the rose and avoid heavy applications of quick-release fertilizer in one spot.