Roses are easy to grow and maintain. The Potomac Rose Society is available to provide help as you need it. Some of the common diseases in our area include: black spot and powdery, downy mildew. Some common pest damage can be caused by thrips, spider mites, Japanese beetles, midge, and deer. A virus named Rose Rosette Virus (also called Rose Rosette Disease or RRD) has hit our area and is spreads by an insect that carries the disease from plant to plant. Visit roserosette.org  for extensive and reliable information. Another place to go for information is an article that was published in the Seattle Times.

If you notice a Rose Rosette on a neighbor's roses, know that the disease could also affect your roses. The disease is spread by microscopic mites. Leaf blowers are well-known to spread the mites and disease. You can alert your neighbor to the problem with this RRD Letter.

This flyer is also available to alert your neighbor that you suspect that their rose may have Rose Rosette Virus. Rose Rosette Flyer.pdf

Paul Zimmerman, a speaker at one of PRS's Rose Symposium's recorded a video on RRD. This video was produced by Paul Zimmerman and features Dr. David Byrne and Dr. Kevin Ong from Texas A&M University and Dr. Mark Windham from the University of Tennessee. The video gives an in depth discussion on RRD and covers everything from its origins, how it spreads, what to do about it, and more. The video debuted on Paul Zimmerman’s You Tube Channel on Aug 22, 2020 and is available on demand to view at anytime.

Top photo of The Dark Lady by Rich Baer