Summer Leaf Drop On Your Roses

comments (4) July 21st, 2011 in blogs

Paul Zimmerman, contributor

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My Rose Garden just this past spring in full bloom and foliage.

The same angle of the garden shot today (July 21). As you can see Ive lost some foliage and this is normal.

My Rose Garden just this past spring in full bloom and foliage.

Photo: Paul Zimmerman Roses

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I got an email the other day from someone who was concerned because her roses were losing leaves in the midst of summer. They were new to roses and understandably concerned by this. It was hot where they were and they’ve had little rains. She’d read my post about watering less to force roots deep and was trying to follow that.

I would imagine with this heat wave sweeping its way across the country others are seeing leaf drop on their roses. And likely are also concerned and wondering if they should water more.

First let me say this to hopefully ease your minds. Summer leaf drop on roses is perfectly normal. Happens all the time. It’s just that with the temperatures we are getting it’s more pronounced this year.

In my experience roses are not happy campers when the mercury soars. Most plants aren’t. When it gets this hot roses enter a semi-dormant state not unlike when winter comes around. They do so even more so when the night time temperatures are also hot. We’ve been experiencing that around here. We are in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and normally our evenings are comfortable despite what happens during the day. But this past month has been hot even at night and I see my own roses dropping leaves and going to sleep.

How can I tell?

They aren’t blooming or growing much. I have few blooms, scant new foliage and shoots - all of which tells me the roses are having a good nap.

They also shed leaves because plants can actually lose water through their them when it is hot. So what’s the best way for them to preserve the water they have? Loose some leaves! Just nature doing what nature does best.

As to increasing watering unless you are seeing your roses actually droop I wouldn’t increase it. I realize the temptation is there but since the roses are semi-dormant they actually don’t need it. In fact you can easily overwater which really stresses the roses. So keep in mind my little rule of watering. Water heavily, mark that date you did so and then wait. When the roses droop you’ve gone one day too long between watering. And that will give you your watering schedule.

So don’t worry about the leaf drop, don’t overwater and wait for those cooler nights when we get closer to the end of summer. Your roses will wake up and start dressing themselves for the big fall show.

Happy Roseing
Paul

posted in: Summer, leaf drop

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Comments (4)

PFZimmerman writes: Blackspot can also come from stress like heat etc. Kind of like us. If we are run down we stand a chance to getting sicker easier. Same for plants.

Picking off leaves is a very good idea and then you might try a light sulfur spray. I talked about it in a post from last year and here is the link.

http://www.finegardening.com/item/16242/lime-and-sulfur-spray-great-way-to-knock-down-fungus-on-your-roses

I think that will take care of it for you. Posted: 3:59 pm on July 22nd

DLGardener writes: Hi,my roses are not only dropping leaves but also are now black spotted!Should I do the usual,picking them off and using the spray?Its VERY hot here now{NJ}and I am not really watering them a lot.I thought black spot came from to much water???Thanks! Posted: 3:07 pm on July 22nd

PFZimmerman writes: I'm all for a cool outdoor shower - and for the roses, too!!

I have the same thing here. Some roses drop leaves and some don't. Posted: 1:50 pm on July 21st

MarciM writes: I totally agree with you, Paul! Some roses are more susceptible than others, and in my gardens, the same roses drop their shorts every year, just like we strip down when we get hot! I do, however, offer a cool shower to the foliage in the morning when it gets super hot like this. The good thing about living in CT is that it doesn't usually stay this wicked-hot for toooooooooo long! Hugs your way... Posted: 1:24 pm on July 21st

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Everyone loves roses. If you always wanted to add roses to your garden but were too intimidated by their diva reputation, Roses Are Plants, Too is the blog for you.

Paul Zimmerman has grown thousands of roses for over 15 years and for ten of those years in a sustainable manner. His common-sense approach shows you how to integrate garden roses into your landscape by looking at them as nothing more than flowering shrubs, all the while encouraging you to trust your own "Gardener's Instincts" in the care of these beautiful plants.

You will learn how to prune and train climbing roses, and how to get the most "ka-bloom" out of your shrub, David Austin and Knockout rose bushes. You'll get tips on growing roses organically and trimming them all season to keep their shape. You'll discover the difference between own-root and grafted roses, and more. Much of the instruction will be via videos that Paul produces himself!

Paul Zimmerman ran a rose care company in Los Angeles before moving to South Carolina to start Ashdown Roses. Now he focuses on rose education and teaching via Paul Zimmerman Roses. He lectures, gives workshops, and judges rose trials around the world, and it is this experience he brings to this blog.

Whether you are new to roses or an experienced grower, Paul will open your garden to the vast diversity our national flower offers.

If you have questions about roses and rose care or would like to share your own experiences please visit our Roses Are Plants, Too discussion forum.

To inquire about Paul's workshops and lectures, email him at paul@paulzimmermanroses.com.