Yellow leaves on garden roses.

Why do garden roses get yellow leaves?

In late summer/early autumn, roses begin to draw the chlorophyll from the leaves of their shoots. Chlorophyll contains numerous nutrients that are stored by garden roses in their shoots and roots for the coming year.

Autumn colouring is therefore a normal process and no cause for concern, as roses are woody plants.

Not all varieties shed all their leaves in autumn, so you may still find leafy shoots when pruning in spring.

Yellow leaves in early summer

In some rose varieties, the leaves inside the plants turn yellow in May. They are the first to sprout in March/April and tend to be weaker. The rose rejects them in order to regenerate.

This can also occur with older leaves after prolonged dry periods, heavy rainfall or abrupt changes in weather.

By removing them, you create light and space for new ones.

Yellow leaves on potted rose

This is often caused by overwatering. Roses do not like waterlogged soil, so water them carefully.

Before planting the pot, be sure to add a drainage layer and place the pot on feet to keep the drainage holes clear.