Question
Lynnette,
First let me than you for helping all of us have beautiful yards!

We planted a Lady Banks rose this spring in Houston TX. It took off beautifully. Now many of the leaves are starting to turn brown and the new growth is wilting. I planted it so the earth in the pot is about 2 inches above the surrounding soil. The location is next to the fence that is centered in the swale drain between our house and our neighbors.

Could the recent high temperatures be causing stress, or is the location allowing it to get too much water? I guess I could raise it up to 6 inches above the surrounding soil by building a really elevated bed.

Thanks again for your advice!

Answer
Yes, he high heat is what is causing your rose to go under stress. The roots simply shut down when the weather gets hot and the new growth gets fried. It could also be getting too much water but I think the weather is causing the problem. I agree with you that it should be raised to make sure the roots don't sit in water for too long. The reason I say the heat is causing the problem because the leaves are turning brown from being burnt. If it was too much water then the leaves would go totally yellow and then drop off.  So many gardeners are having the same problem. Again the rose books say that you should plant roses where they get all day sun but that does not apply to any area that could get high heat in the summer. In those areas the roses should be planted where they get some shade. When a rose does go under stress from heat, the roots shut down and do not take up the water so no matter how much you give them, the rose and the flowers just droop.