Question
Hi Jay,
Three years ago I planted a climbing peace rose.  That year it had beautiful huge roses on it.  The following year it did not flower but it shot up several long canes.  This year I was very pleased to see it was loaded with buds.  When they opened they no longer were the beautiful yellow orange 5 inch blooms, but a small dark red flower that looked like a rugosa rose.  The exact same thing happened with my Golden Showers.  The flowers now resemble a red rugosa rose.  Is there a way to get my original roses back?  Thanks, Donna

Answer
Hello Donna,

Unfortunately what you are describing is the rootstock that Peace and Golden Showers were grafted onto and it has taken over.  Your desired rose has died or been so weakened by the rootstock that it cannot compete.  The red rose you are seeing is Dr. Huey.  A very vigorous rambler.  

If either of your desired roses is still alive, they should be blooming.   I suggest you dig up what you have now and replant.  Try to get own root varieties.   You will not have the rootstock to compete with your desired rose.  Also, you may want wrap your climbers in the winter if you do not do so already.  This will keep this year's growth from getting killed by any hard freezes.

You can do a search for 'Roses Unlimited'; they are a rose nursery here in SC and they grow 'own root' roses and they do ship to NY right now. And they have both varieties that you mentioned.

I hope that helps.

Jay