Question
Hi Ms. Callan,
Thanking you for your site, my problem is I've had this bush in the same location for 4 years and each of those years it's been the most beautiful color pink. The blooms have been in clusters also.
This year the flowers are red and they are single flowers on each stem. I have noticed that there is tall red shoots that come up from the bush as well.
What can I do to establish the original color again?

Answer

Dr. Huey All modern hybrid teas are budded onto what is called an understock. This understock gives the top rose more vigour. The base of the modern rose is usually a climber called Dr. Huey and it is a semi double dark red and very vigorous. What has happened is that rose has died and a sucker from Dr. Huey is growing. Dr. Huey has taken over the whole bush and will grow into a once blooming climber. It is often a mystery why a rose that has done so well for so long, suddenly ups and dies. Many times it is because it has been given fertilizer after the end of June and the canes haven't had time to harden off for cold winter weather. Whatever the cause was, the modern roses has died but the very hardy Dr. Huey has taken over. Here is a photo from my garden of Dr. Huey which I lovingly cared for before it bloomed. Tat will be the reason it has more petals than yours.