Rose Mosaic Virus

Yellow blotches, lines, or striking patterns on the leaves, mottled flower color and stunted growth may mean your rose is suffering from rose mosaic virus.

The symptoms of rose mosaic virus are quite variable, usually appear in spring and remain throughout the growing season. The whole plant, a single stem, or a portion of the plant may exhibit symptoms even though the whole plant is infected. So pruning off those plant parts that display symptoms will not control the disease.

Fortunately rose mosaic virus does not spread from infected to healthy rose plants in the garden. It is only spread through vegetative propagation. This means you can leave virus infected plants in the garden until their poor growth and flowering make them undesirable. Then remove and destroy the infected plants.

Avoid this disease by purchasing certified virus-free plants.

A bit more information: Monitor your plants for this and other diseases. Watch for black spots on leaves that may indicate black spot disease. If your rose has red leaves and stems, deformed leaves and fine twiggy growth, it may be suffering from rose rosette virus.