Suckers – What They Are and How to Deal With Them
If you’ve noticed vigorous shoots appearing from the base of your rose, you may have encountered suckers. While they may look healthy, they can actually weaken your rose over time if left untreated. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Suckers?
Most modern roses are grafted, meaning the top part (the flowering variety you chose) is joined to a hardy rootstock below ground. A sucker is a shoot that grows from the rootstock, not from your chosen rose variety.
You can usually spot a sucker because:
- It grows from below the graft union (the swollen ‘knuckle’ near the base of the plant).
- The leaves may look different — often smaller, lighter in colour, or with more leaflets.
- It grows very vigorously, often straight and tall compared to the rest of the plant.
- If left to grow, suckers will take energy and nutrients away from your rose, weakening it and eventually overwhelming the variety you planted.
How to Remove Suckers
- Identify the sucker
- Trace the shoot down to where it emerges. If it comes from below the graft union or directly from the roots, it’s a sucker.
- Trace the shoot down to where it emerges. If it comes from below the graft union or directly from the roots, it’s a sucker.
- Do not just cut it at ground level
- Cutting suckers at the surface encourages regrowth. Instead, follow the shoot down to its point of origin.
- Cutting suckers at the surface encourages regrowth. Instead, follow the shoot down to its point of origin.
- Tear, don’t cut
- Carefully dig down to expose where the sucker joins the rootstock. Then, tear it cleanly away with a sharp tug or use a knife to remove it flush with the root. This helps to remove the dormant bud tissue that causes regrowth.
- Carefully dig down to expose where the sucker joins the rootstock. Then, tear it cleanly away with a sharp tug or use a knife to remove it flush with the root. This helps to remove the dormant bud tissue that causes regrowth.
- Cover the area again
- Refill the soil and firm it gently around the base. You can add a little mulch to protect the area.
Preventing Suckers
- Plant roses deeply — ensure the graft union is about 5cm (2 inches) below the soil surface when planting.
- Avoid damaging the rootstock during weeding or cultivation.
- Check regularly — remove any new suckers as soon as they appear.
Summary
Suckers are unwanted shoots from the rootstock of your rose. They divert energy away from the flowering variety, so it’s best to remove them as soon as you notice them. With quick action and proper planting depth, you’ll keep your rose healthy and blooming beautifully.
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