Thick Thorns and Different Leaves? You Likely Have a Rootstock Sucker

Identifying and Removing Rose Suckers

A gardener near Oklahoma City noticed one of two identical orange-and-white rose bushes producing new canes with unusually thick thorns and differently colored leaves. The bush was otherwise healthy and blooming well.

What Is a Sucker?

Most garden roses are grafted: a desirable variety (the scion) is joined to a hardy rootstock (often 'Dr. Huey', a vigorous climber). When the rootstock sends up its own canes from below the graft union, those canes reflect the rootstock's traits—different thorns, leaves, and usually inferior flowers.

How to Confirm and Remove

1. Locate the graft union: a visible bump or knob near soil level where the scion was attached.
2. Trace the suspicious canes: if they originate below this union, they are suckers.
3. Remove correctly: don't just cut—they'll regrow. Dig down, grasp firmly, and tear downward to remove the basal bud tissue. The wound will callous over, preventing regrowth.

Why It Matters

Suckers divert energy from the grafted rose. Left unchecked, they can overtake the desired variety entirely. Regular inspection, especially in spring, keeps the plant true to type.

Own-root roses (not grafted) don't produce suckers, but they may be less winter-hardy in cold zones.