Rose Bush Producing Two Colors: Understanding Sports

When a Rose Blooms in Two Colors

A rose that flowered purple last year now shows two purple and two white blooms on the same stem. Confirmed: single plant, not two bushes.

Explanation: Genetic Sport

Roses have complex ancestry. A "sport" is a spontaneous mutation where a cane reverts to an ancestral color. The white blooms express a gene from the rose's lineage.

What to Expect

• Often reverts to original color next spring.
• If stable, the white form can be propagated via cuttings to create a new white variety.
• Not a disease or nutrient issue.

Enjoy the surprise! It's a natural glimpse into the rose's breeding history.