Michaelg, I guess it is possible that a herbcide affected it. My husband put out some weed and feed in another part of the yard and sprayed some Roundup on other parts of the property, not near the roses. He always uses a grounder when he sprays to prevent drift. Also, I live in an agricultural area and although there are no fields adjacent to our property, planes do fly over all the time on the way to and from the ag airports. So there is always a possibility, even if not a probability. After reading more about RRD I think I am safe in that there is a lot of this red growth and RRD develops slowly. Also, there have been no documented outbreaks of it in Louisiana. I will keep watching and thanks so much for your help! I am glad that someone suggested posting pictures!

That's definitely a bag worm. Usually I find them on my Aroborvitaes and Junipers, but a few can end up on other plants as well. They can really do some damage if left unattended and are particularly hard to treat on tall evergreens. Every one of the bags left behind can contain as many as 200 eggs which will be ready to infest your plants again next year. They usually begin to feed and form bags around the first of June in my area of NE OK., so be on the lookout next year about this time. If you can catch them when they first appear BT works as well as anything and won't harm beneficials. You will need to spray more then once to catch new hatchlings. Make sure the BT is fresh. We weren't having much luck with BT and discovered there's a world of difference between fresh and old. Use a spreader sticker. Some people not familiar with our area may not understand just how hot AND humid it is now. So be careful when you spray. You need to spray ideally when the temperature is 85 or below and make sure that in this drought your plants are fully hydrated before you do spray. I've burned plants spraying when it was too hot. Best time of course is in the cool of the morning...Last year we had a major infestation on our Arborvitae and sprayed 3 times with frest BT. This year (fingers crossed) I haven't seen any hatchlings - yet. ........Maryl

Linda - The good news is that you live in the perfect climate to grow roses. You will not have to worry about "winter protection" from freezing temps! Do you know what kind of roses yours are? Are they stiff upright bushes 4 - 8 feet tall, with large blooms with pointed buds? If so, they are probably hybrid teas. It is important to know what kind of roses you have before you prune them, as different kinds respond best to different types of pruning. Re clippers, I love my Felco ones. They are "by-pass" ones, which mean they work like scissors. The other type is called "anvil", and tend to squash the roses. They make a version for smaller hands, which work great for me. They also make a version where one of the handles rotates, so that it is easier to use - this comes in the normal and the smaller size. You also might want to get a pair of long handled clippers - that way you can stay further away from the thorns, and they are good for larger canes. Obviously, you need good gloves made for roses, too. I am a bit confused about the aphids, as they usually come in the Spring, at least here. I would not worry about them. What I would do is what dollsandroses said - google the American Rose Society, and see if you can find the nearest local society, which can put you in touch with a Consulting Rosarian, who might be able to come and look at the roses for you, and tell you what general type they are, and then you can get specific pruning advice based on that. Good Luck! jackie

Hi Derek, I'm just north of Cullman...about midway between Birmingham & Huntsville. We've had the same extremely hot & dry June and extremely rainy July here. I don't think the weather extremes themselves should have hurt 3 year old KOs. Also would be surprised if a drainage issue is just now causing a problem since we've had lots of extremely rainy periods in the last 3 yrs...but there could be a new sinkhole, soil shift, etc, so worth checking the soil below to make sure. Very possibly could be something eating the roots as Michael suggested. My roses are currently being devoured by thousands of Japanese Beetles...started early June this year and still going strong...but you would notice the beetles on your bushes, and best I can tell from your pictures, that isn't JB damage. It could be leftover winter damage or canker damage from early spring. I had canker issues worse than I've ever experienced this spring and more winter damage to my roses than I can remember, too. I pruned most out early in the season, but did leave canes that had some damage, but looked like they might recover. Most of those are now dying since the heat set...weren't strong enough to handle it. You might not have noticed a canker spot low on a cane that otherwise looked healthy this spring, but that could now be cutting off energy to it.