She's been there for easily 10 years with no problems. There's an equally healthy Rita Sammons on one side, and a small-flowered, fragrant, bright pink foundling on the other. The foundling is lustier than Mae West, but prone to rust and downy mildew -- these don't deter her: for every cane that dies back, she sends out two or three in a most Gallica-like way.

Thoughts? Suspicions? Dark-of-the-moon hexes?

Katie

If so, It's likely Fasciation, which I'm told can be triggered in otherwise normal roses by weird weather fluctuations.

Gaia knows, we have had our share of weird weather fluctuations this year.

Here's what Wikipedia says of it:
"Fasciation (or cresting) is a condition of plant growth in which the apical meristem, normally concentrated around a single point, producing approximately cylindrical tissue, becomes elongated perpendicularly to the direction of growth, producing flattened, ribbon-like, crested, or elaborately contorted tissue. The phenomenon may occur in the stem, root, fruit, or flower head.
Fasciation can be caused by a mutation in the meristematic cells, bacterial infection, mite or insect attack, or chemical or mechanical damage. Some plants may inherit the trait.
Fasciation is rare overall, but has been observed in at least a hundred different plant species, including members of Aloe, Celosia, Delphinium, Digitalis, Euphorbia, Forsythia, Primula, Acer, Prunus, Cannabis and many genera of Cactaceae (cactus) and Salix. Cresting results in undulating folds instead of the typical "arms" found on mature Saguaro cactus.[1] Some varieties of Celosia are raised especially for their dependably fasciated flower heads, for which they are called "cockscomb"."

Jeri in Coastal Ventura Co., SoCal

Rosefolly