Identifying Suckers on a Blaze Climbing Rose

A first-time rose grower sees canes with 5 and 7 leaflets on the same stem and wonders about suckering.

Suckers Come from Below the Graft

Leaflet count doesn't determine suckers. A sucker originates below the graft union. Wait for it to bloom: if flowers are small, single, white or dark red (Dr. Huey rootstock), it's a sucker—remove it. If it matches Blaze's blooms, keep it.

Patience Pays

Don't rush to prune. Let the cane reveal its identity at flowering time.