[tallulah]

I seem to have collected a good number of patio roses over the years.  Some are in pots, some are planted.  They have a shortish flowering season, tho sometimes can be persuaded into a second bloom, but by mid summer, they've virtually all lost all their leaves, and I'm looking at stalks.  They tend to grow back OK the following year, only to go through the same process.  So I'm wondering if I can actually enhance their performance, in which case I'll keep them, as the blooms are lovely, or whether I should just free the space up.  Any thoughts and advice welcome.

[snowdrops]

Do they lose their leaves because of black spot? If so therein lies the problem & how to counteract it.

[compostqueen]

I wonder sometimes if they're just not cut out for longevity as I've found the same.  You'd think they'd last longer out in the garden but they seem to lack vigour

So, I've taken to potting up normal roses into John Innes compost (No2 or 3) and top dressing with grit or gravel 

[tallulah]

There's been signs of black spot, but I've immediately treated it.  I've not had a great deal of success with  potted normal roses.  I never get them back to the 'showroom' state!

[Agatha]

Do they get fed regularly?  I topdress mine with fresh compost & also feed regularly through the growing season as they are very greedy feeders. 

[tallulah]

Do they get fed regularly?  I topdress mine with fresh compost & also feed regularly through the growing season as they are very greedy feeders. 

Yes, all that.  I just think they are weak specimens, ultimately.  Brought on artificially for the retail shelf, which exhausts the plant.