Rose Proliferation: Why Are Buds Growing Inside Blooms?

A four-year-old Pegasus rose on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State began producing secondary buds inside open flowers—a phenomenon the gardener had never seen. The spring had been cool and wet.

Hormonal Imbalance from Weather

This condition is called proliferation. It's thought to result from a hormonal disruption triggered by prolonged cool, damp weather with little heat. The rose essentially attempts to produce another flower within the first. While most common in old garden roses like Gallicas, Mosses, and Centifolias, some modern varieties are also susceptible.

No Cure Needed

Proliferation is a temporary response to weather, not a disease. As temperatures rise and conditions normalize, the rose will return to its typical flowering habit. No treatment is required beyond patience.