Question
Just bought a lovely rosa rugosa alba from Joy Creek Nursery in Scappoose Oregon (25 miles NW of Portland)and planted it in a site that theoretically has 6 hours of sun a day (that's been rare this spring.)  Problem:  Now, three weeks post-planting, the outer petals of the flowers that were blooming when planted started turning brown and all the buds that were developing have turned yellow, stopped growing and died.  A few of the proximal leaves are turning yellow.  She was planted in a mix of a little old compost and topsoil.  She was root-bound and I decided not to untangle the roots thinking that would damage them.  I didn't add fertilizer, since I'd read Rosas like but don't need fertilizer, and I'm mostly organic so no sprays or insecticides.  Obviously I'm doing something drastically wrong.  Help please?  Thanks.

Answer
Rugosa always get the label of being cast iron plants. But actually they are roses that will get in a snit over the most trivial of events. They hate to be sprayed, they hate chemical fertilizers, they hate too much water, don't like being pruned...the list goes on. They also don't like being moved but I am assuming the soil stayed on the roots when you planted the bush. Sometimes no matter how careful one is, the soil falls away from the plant and the frail feeder roots are exposed and this will cause stress in a rose. If the roots were growing in a circle and were going around the bottom of the pot, they will continue to grow that way. If the roots were really tight, then again the plant will struggle until it puts out suckers which will grow much better. 6 hours of sun if fine for most roses and Rugosas will grow well in 6 hours of sun. I can't see the rose but I think I would phone the nursery where you bought it and just ask why the rose isn't doing well. They will replace it if they feel the roots are the problem. You did everything correctly, even gave the Rugosa excellent start with the soil and compost and I am assuming it got watered daily, so I think the rose bush is at fault. Best to check anyway and put your mind at rest.