Rose Leaf Curl

• Rose leaf curl is a virus affecting antique roses in the United States and can spread to hybrid tea roses. It causes leaves to curl downward as they emerge in the spring. New leaves on affected plants are smaller and pale green or yellow in color. The leaves eventually become brittle and easily fall. Rose leaf curl causes a loss of vigor in the rose plant.
  
  

Rose Spring Dwarf

• A virus causes rose spring dwarf. It is apparent in early spring. The leaves occur on very short shoots and appear balled or curled. Symptoms can disappear later in the season, but destroy infected plants, so that they do not infect other roses growing nearby.
  
  

Herbicide Damage

• Herbicide can damage roses. If applied in the fall, the plant may not show herbicide damage until the following spring. Signs of herbicide damage include leaf curling or cupping, yellow or smaller than usual leaves, and the death of the plant. In the spring, damaged plants may exhibit small buds. If the herbicide damage is not too extensive, the plant may recover.
  
  

Verticillium Wilt

• Verticillium wilt occurs in roses and other plants. This soilborne disease infects the rose plant and makes it difficult for the plant to transfer water from the soil to its foliage. New leaves and those located lower on the plant begin curling and wilting once infected. They may also become yellow in color. As the infection advances, the plant loses leaves from the bottom up and may eventually die.