I could be totally stupid as I'm new! But the top most leaves seem so shriveled, almost black. I've been watching them a few days and no change.

Did they come potted up?

To me it looks as if there's a salt or other buildup in the soil and that's more than the new growth can tolerate.

If it were mine, I'd flush the soil (gently) with water. And then I'd flush it a lot more.

Leave the bush in semi shade.

Be patient. that massive cane still has potential.

There could be any number of reasons for that funky growth but I don't think it's RRD. You got them a couple of weeks ago and planted them right away. We had some frost warnings just a couple of weeks ago, did you too? That looks like cold damage to new growth in my opinion.

As far as the thorns are concerned, some roses ARE thornier than others. I don't see anything like the massive thorniness of RRD. You wouldn't be able to see much of any green cane at all between the thrones on RRD canes.

You need to relax and be patient and let this poor thing warm up and really start growing.

Thanks for the responses,

They did not come potted - just in plastic bags to protect the roots.

I don't believe it could be cold damage as we haven't gotten below 40 degrees in some time. I was actually a little concerned because the usual ship time is in April and I didn't get them until the 6th of May. First week I had them the temps were in the 60s 70s which is rather warm for planting roses according to my reading?

Does flushing the soil mean shoving a hose in the ground and running it for a while? Sorry if that's a silly question.