I have two good size knockout rose bushes in one of my beds that have been there since we bought this house 5 years ago. This is north San Antonio. They are planted about 5 feet apart and one of them apparently died fairly suddenly.

They get partial shade and I've never taken particular care of them. I really don't know how other than to water them occasionally and throw down some rose food I bought.

Haven't watered them much this year with all the rain. Maybe they got too much water??? No idea how to judge the soil drainage but they aren't in a spot that retains water as far as I know.

Not 100% sure it's dead but pretty dang sure. One looks vibrant and the other has zero signs of life. Not sure if I should dig it up and replace it.

Worst case scenario would be rose rosette virus. Can you post a pic?

Thanks. If it's a virus is there anything I can do to protect the other one?

I'm not seeing anything in those pictures that scream RRV infection. Maybe voles got to the roots?

Hmm interesting. I've never heard of that. I haven't really noticed too much evidence of digging immediately around this shrub.

I've had skunks and armadillos digging in the lawn and a few times in this bed. I assumed it was for grubs.

I probably don't know what to look for though.

I'm not either, but that rose is definitely dead.

Neil Sperry on RRV