Rose black spot
Purple-black spots with feathery edges on rose leaves, then early leaf drop.
What you'll see
- Round purple-black spots with feathery edges on the upper side of rose leaves.
- Yellowing around the spots and heavy leaf drop, sometimes leaving canes almost bare.
- Small black, scabby spots on young canes.
Why it happens
A fungus whose spores splash in water and infect leaves that stay wet for hours. It survives the winter on fallen leaves and canes.
How to fix it
- Pick off spotted leaves, rake up fallen ones, and bin them.
- Prune out spotted canes in late winter or early spring.
- Water early, at the soil, so the leaves dry well before evening.
Keep it from coming back
- Grow roses in full sun, with space for air to move.
- Choose resistant varieties.
- Clear or cover fallen leaves in autumn.
Sources
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.