I see you're in zone 8b which makes me think this is a stupid question for me to ask.... Could it be frost damage?

By what you described, that sounds exactly like what I would discover after a frost in our area.

Rob

Could it be aphids?

I agree with bro cadfael -- sounds like frost damage. In my garden, a NW orientation would be about as inhospitable as a fully northern orientation. How long has PHM been in that location? Are there other roses planted nearby that showed no damage? If so, are they also ramblers or tall growers, or is their growth fairly close to the ground?

In your favor is the fact the PHM is a rampant, enthusiastic grower. Perhaps he will rebound and settle in. It will be interesting for you to observe his bloom production this year. Any chance he could be moved to a location that would provide a bit more warmth earlier in the day?

I too get this sort of thing on some of my roses. I blame it on frost, tho I'm not sure if it really is. But since everything else is fine I now just cut off the damaged ends and don't worry about it.

HA, I didn't notice you mentioned frost in your post... I think I was watching tv at the time and may have glanced over that part of your post... well, if it isn't frost it could be aphids.

BC:)

No worries Rob, I missread a lot of posts when our little one is in whiny mood. x)

I don't know about the frost, Paul's scarlet is next to it, but it is smaller. Sometimes we can get a bit of frost bite in a shade/north side, so I don't rule it out, it does look like a frost damage.

Aphids I haven't noticed this year so far, probably due to our very cold spring. It also could be slugs - those really can do a lot of damage over here, but usually they just chew all the leaves and PHM is pretty big, but maybe if they were super hungry...

PHM is the second year in that spot, otherwise he did not seem to have a problem with it, he gets a few hours of morning sun and some evening sun over there, but it is rather open place. He did not bloom last year much over there, but that was due to the lack of old wood, since I cut him back after replanting. Will have to see how it does this year.

Here are some photos of my problem, sorry for the quality, it is quite gloomy over here and that's best what my mobile can do.

Blackened tips of the new growth:
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Leaves on the tips are curled and a bit black on the edges:
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well elemire, i'm going with frost too. The last three nights have had killing frosts in East Anglia and I am seeing frost damage everywhere.

hi again. On my allotment, our potatoes have been decimated except for one man's whose spuds are shaded by a large willow - his look perfect. Moreover, I am also seeing differences in damage in plants which are just in the lee of the wind by having a taller one behind it. Whatever, I think it is entirely possible for one plant to have severe frost damage while another one next to it, escapes. I am doubting aphids too since after they have finished, everything looks crispy and distorted but never actaully collapsed. Hope you find the problem- I am planting out my tomatoes this weekend so am hoping to have seen the last frost in the UK.

Yeah, we had very weird weather over here too, my tomatoes are taking over our guest bedroom, but I am still hesitating to move them out.

Frost damage actually would not be that bad explanation, at least it is something that is not contagious.

I also had an advice once from some experienced early spring bulb grower, who told me to plant most early plants so that they do not get early morning sun. According to him, biggest damage usually is not from frost bite itself, but from too rapid unfreezing when the sun heats up the frozen leaf. Later in the day temperatures warm up more gradually and the damage would be less. Not sure if that is very scientific and valid for all plants, but was a good advice for the bulbs that bloom in winter.

Have you had any other plants with these symptoms? My pear tree got fire blight this year. My dad (who grew up around orchards) had never heard of it. Don't know where it came from, but in researching it, I found that it could spread to roses. Don't know how common that would be. And, of course, mine showed up in spring, and it spread very rapidly. After three days (when I didn't know what it was), the entire tree was infected, and I cut it down.

Hopefully, it's just frost damage. I just thought of this because you said it looked like the ends had been 'burned'.

Here is a link that might be useful: fireblight.com

Oh, that fire blight thing sounds nasty, never heard of it before. Does not look like PHM got it, as it does not seem to spread and damage is milder than described, but it is surely good to know for the future.

the rising sun thaws plants which have been frosted, too rapidly, causing the cell walls to rupture. Therefore, avoid putting tender plants in an east facing aspect.

The first picture I don't know but the second looks like chili thrip damage. I just sprayed with Conserve and Merit for chili thrips here in Lafayette La. It did not get cold enough for frost damage. They were just starting and did not cause much damage. Keep a close eye on the rest of your roses also. Good Luck.

Patrick

I don't believe either fire blight or chilli thrips are known to be present in Europe.

I am certain this is not aphid damage.

I also believe this is frost damage.

Oh my, I saw Netherland and I thought you were in Netherland, Texas. Well then it is frost damage. Sorry.

Patrick