Question
QUESTION: I have a rose that is properly planted, as it was producing beautiful flowers earlier this spring and summer.  Now the majority of the bush has no leaves closer to the bottom and middle of the bush. It's mostly just canes.  The top of it has healthy looking leaves.  It has been in the same spot for 4 or 5 years.  I don't want to lose it.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Can you tell me if the leaves that fell off were yellow, had spots on them or were just brown? The condition of the leaves is important as it tells one what caused them to come off.

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QUESTION: At the top of the bush, some of the leaves are beginning to turn.  They are green, turning yellow and looks like it's following the veins in the leaf, then going to black spots, and turning brown. This doesn't look like the normal black spot.  Thanks again in advance.

Answer
It sounds like the rose is lacking in iron and that will cause the leaves to go yellow following the vein pattern. When a rose is under stress Black Spot always attacks it so that would also account for the fungal disease. Something else that puts a rose under stress is a change in the weather. Mild, damp springs and then high heat also causes what you have described. I would use a fungicide on the roses to catch the fungal disease. Check also just in case the water isn't getting down to about 8 inches deep. Finally use a fertilizer that will add iron to the soil. You don't have to pay a high price, just get the cheapest as it will work as well.