Q: What do you know about rose rosette disease?

A: I know it can be devastating to roses and will be extremely hard to control if it becomes widespread in Georgia.

The disease causes very red foliage and stems, copious thorns, “witch’s broom” at branch ends and eventual death of the plant. It seems to be spread by tiny mites that travel on the wind. The only cure for it is to pull out and destroy affected plants.

A gardener in McDonough brought me a sample of her Knock Out rose that had rose rosette symptoms. I advised her to get rid of the afffected plant and keep a close eye on roses nearby.

Here is more information:

UPDATE: New Texas Research

Rose Rosette Disease in Virginia

Rose Rosette in Illinois

History of Rose Rosette

UPDATE: New Testing Information

rose rosette

rose rosette

rose rosette