What's eating my souvenir de la malmaison rose?

This classic Bourbon rose with large, quartered blooms is especially prone to black spot in cool, wet climates, and its big flower heads attract thrips in warm weather. Aphids and sawfly larvae round out the threat list. Black spot is the chief long-term threat, as defoliation weakens the repeat-flowering performance of this heritage variety.

Circular dark spots on upper leaf surface; yellowing and premature leaf drop, which is especially damaging on this repeat-bloomer. Rake and bin fallen leaves; apply copper or myclobutanil fungicide every 10–14 days during wet spells; ensure good airflow around the plant.

Colonies on young shoots and bud stalks, causing sticky residue and deformed opening buds. Remove by hand or with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap spray, focusing on shoot tips and bud clusters.

Petals develop brown flecks or streaks; flowers may abort in tight bud; insects visible deep inside blooms. Remove damaged flowers; place blue sticky traps nearby; spinosad spray as a last resort.

Leaflets stripped to a see-through membrane; pale larvae in groups on leaf undersides. Hand-pick larvae in the morning; pyrethrin spray if widespread.