Rose rosette? - Ask Extension
My 'Earth Angel' rose started out the season perfectly healthy. Then about a week ago I noticed that all the new growth was strange looking. For lac...
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Rose rosette? #931759
Asked May 15, 2026, 12:27 AM EDT
My 'Earth Angel' rose started out the season perfectly healthy. Then
about a week ago I noticed that all the new growth was strange looking.
For lack of a better word, I'll say distorted. Small and distorted. I did some research and couldn't
find much that lined up. I finally settled on rose rosette disease. I
know it is rare in Oregon, but becoming more prevalent. I really, really
hope I'm not right, especially since I have six other roses nearby.
Plus that rose cost me a fortune. Maybe you can find something that fits
other than rose rosetta. Thanks for your help! Kym
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Kym and thanks for your question and picture, although I can't imagine my research will be any better than yours! I am wondering about a possible chemical exposure, as this looks a little bit like glyphosate contact. I agree it's not classic rose rosette as the stem is not extra thorny and the leaves are not discolored.
If you happen to have "Abiotic Disorders of Landscape Plants" by University of California, look at page 198. The pictures of the injury to roses caused by winter glyphosate application look very similar to your symptoms. And the description in Niel Bell's article below is also similar.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/node/3456/print
If you can think of a possible way you plant can have been exposed to the herbicide (drift from the neighbors?), I'd be willing to go with this diagnosis. The treatment is, of course, to water heavily and/or add organic matter to the soil to speed up the breakdown of the chemical. You can also prune off some of the affected branches, although this will be the growing tips so it may set the plant back pretty severely.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that the rose recovers or that you figure out an alternate, curable diagnosis in time to save it! Glad to know you are still around and gardening!
If you happen to have "Abiotic Disorders of Landscape Plants" by University of California, look at page 198. The pictures of the injury to roses caused by winter glyphosate application look very similar to your symptoms. And the description in Niel Bell's article below is also similar.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/node/3456/print
If you can think of a possible way you plant can have been exposed to the herbicide (drift from the neighbors?), I'd be willing to go with this diagnosis. The treatment is, of course, to water heavily and/or add organic matter to the soil to speed up the breakdown of the chemical. You can also prune off some of the affected branches, although this will be the growing tips so it may set the plant back pretty severely.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that the rose recovers or that you figure out an alternate, curable diagnosis in time to save it! Glad to know you are still around and gardening!
Hi Rhonda!
Sent from my iPhone
Fancy you answering my question. The top Ask Extension expert. Thanks for your response. My first thought was pesticide drift as well. However it is only about 4 feet from several other roses and they show no damage. I guess it could happen but unlikely. I'm wondering if I could ask you to send this to Jay Pscheidt. He is a plant pathologist who I think may have an answer. If he doesn't I guess I just wait and see. I'm worried about it spreading to the other roses, though. And, as you know, roses are hideously expensive, especially from Heirloom Roses. I've got a fortune invested.
Again, thanks for your help. I hope all is going well with you.
Best,
Kym
Sent from my iPhone
On May 15, 2026, at 4:16 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
I tried reassigning this to Jay, so I hope he gets it. If not, we will try again.
Thanks, Rhonda!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On May 20, 2026, at 6:13 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
Hey Kym,
We have a single image and little information about symptoms in the rose community or on the individual plant let alone any care it may have gotten.
The image shows 4 of the newest leaves where the newest 2 are curled up on the margins and kinked along the mid-rib. I call that the draw string effect kind of like when a strand of yarn is pulled on a sweater. In this case the leaf has variable growth as it enlarges. What may have been floral buds look more like straps or stringy growth.
I agree with Rhonda that it does not look like rose rosette. Chemical drift is a potential where the new growth is more sensitive. Observations of other plants in the area and time development of the symptoms will help that diagnosis.
There are fungicides that are used to manage black spot and/or powdery mildew that can result in this same effect. It would be nice to know what products may have been used on this rose.
We have a single image and little information about symptoms in the rose community or on the individual plant let alone any care it may have gotten.
The image shows 4 of the newest leaves where the newest 2 are curled up on the margins and kinked along the mid-rib. I call that the draw string effect kind of like when a strand of yarn is pulled on a sweater. In this case the leaf has variable growth as it enlarges. What may have been floral buds look more like straps or stringy growth.
I agree with Rhonda that it does not look like rose rosette. Chemical drift is a potential where the new growth is more sensitive. Observations of other plants in the area and time development of the symptoms will help that diagnosis.
There are fungicides that are used to manage black spot and/or powdery mildew that can result in this same effect. It would be nice to know what products may have been used on this rose.
