White Roses On A Red Rose Bush

[Hazlinny]

Asking for a friend who has noticed that a red rose bush purchased about three years ago has, this year, a small white rose sprouting on the same branch as the red rose. Anyone experienced this and how/why does it occur? Thanks.

[LadyCG]

An albino bud perhaps? ;)

Sounds beautiful though

[rowanwitch]

It maybe what is known as a sport, if it's a nice flower and that shoot consistently has other white roses it might be worth trying to take a cutting as it is effectively a new rose, or send a photo to the original grower as they maybe interested in developing it if they haven't already got a garden worthy white version.

[rowanwitch]

https://www.gardenseeker.com/plants/rose-sport/

[Hazlinny]

Thanks LadyCG and Rowan ...interesting .. I will pass info on and maybe get photo/see rose when next visiting.

[roopower]

I had similar last year, I have a rose bush that has pink roses last year it sprouted a couple of dog roses. Their bush grows further up the garden.

[maggiebee]

Most of the rose bushes we buy have been grafted so sometimes they revert to original type/colour.

[Hazlinny]

Could be right, Maggie ... I'll enquire at the nearby Garden Centre.

Roo ... there are other roses in her garden - she says the white ones are similar to old-style hedgerow roses.

[bhg481]

"Named" roses are usually created by grafting cuttings onto briar roots; it's more reliable and produces better plants than rooting cuttings.
The briar roots tend to throw new shoots, known as suckers, and can, if not controlled, take over the plant. The suckers come from the base, have different coloured foliage and usually 7 leaves to a stem rather than 5. The suckers should be removed.
We have lots of roses; some regularly grow suckers, others never do. We also have a rose which has both red flowers and yellow flowers on the same stem; I can't remember the name.