Question
we have a pilgrim rose which we cut back in march and it is growing nicely but we have noticed about half way up we have little branches which have both 5 leaves and 7 leaves coming off them is this a sucker if they have both types of leaves on the same piece of branch. Do we take the branch off or just leave it as there is the same amount of 5 leaves as there is 7 leaves please help.

Answer
While most of the hybrid teas and floribundas have just 5 leaves many of the roses belonging to the other groups such as the Austin roses can have 7, 9 or even more leaflets. There are no hard and fast rules to distinguish a sucker but generally the leaves have 7 leaflets and are a rather pale green as are the stems which are often smooth with few thorns. If they flower they will have 5 petals and will be  white. Suckers come only from the rootstock on which the garden rose is budded and so will only come from below the bud union. The young growth from some roses can be very vigorous and look out of character and rather sucker-like, so I would wait and see as it is probably just part of The Pilgrim rose.