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What could suddenly kill off climbing roses?

Gemma.baldwinGemma.baldwin Posts: 2
in Problem solving
I need some advice urgently on what might suddenly kill off climbing roses? I am in a very distressing position with a neighbour - our boundary fence with them had loads of beautiful climbing roses growing on their side, which grew above the level of the fence and were visible on our side. I have always enjoyed seeing them there, but today they were gone and I have been accused by the neighbours of spraying weed killer to kill them. We are not in anyway close, but not on bad terms - and  the very idea they think we would do that (and why?!) has shocked me.
I have very poor gardening knowledge, and have never used any kind of weed killer in that area of my garden - never anywhere within 20ft, as there is just concrete path on our side. 
But they are claiming nothing but weed killer could have done it and are talking about criminal damage. I am in absolute panic as I have no idea what has happened and don’t see how I can prove a negative. Can anyone suggest any other possible explanation? I have young children and am
simply terrified the neighbours are going to cause problemsfor us.
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  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    Firstly, ignore the threats of criminal damage, there is absolutely no way they could prove that. If they have got it in their heads that it was you, other than trying to convince them of your innocence Im afraid there is not much you can do to prove it wasnt you either. 

    Id just make it very clear you liked the roses, would have no reason to want to kill them and that you are upset by their allegations

    There could be various reasons why the roses have died, but if they recongnise they have been killed by weedkiller, and presuming nobody else from your side has done it, its not beyond the realms of possibility that they have inadvertently done it themselves. They wouldnt be the first people to mix up fertisliser and and weedkiller. Could you ask them if they have recently fed the roses and could have mixed up the bottles?

  • Gemma.baldwinGemma.baldwin Posts: 2
    Thank you for your responses - it’s really appreciated. I will use your suggestions when next I speak to them.
    I was with wondering whether it was possible to get someone in - a horticulturist? - to try to find out what had really happened, but I wouldn’t know where to start with finding someone.
    From what you say it looks like I’m just going to have to accept I can’t prove anything and live with the bad feeling between us - a horrible prospect.
    Many thanks for your help.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    It would be up to the neighbour to prove that you did spray weedkiller on the plants, not for you to prove that you didn't, so stop worrying on that point.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I would want to see a photo from both sides of the fence to see what the roses look like, as weedkiller damage can be quite distinctive, but another possibility is honey fungus which can kill plants overnight...  roses are susceptible to this.. although rare in my experience..
    East Anglia, England
  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    edited June 2018
    Neighbourly disputes can be horrible and pretty stressful, so I would do what you are planning to do and just try and reassure them it wasnt you. I wouldnt go to the expense of getting an expert in to be honest, but I think you could explain that you would also like to know what happened as the last thing you want is a dispute, ask if you can take some photos and post them here to get some advice, as there may be another obvious reason why they have died off. They also may not be actually dead, some photos may  help some of the knowledgeable posters here get to the cause of the problem 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Maybe an offer to contribute to the cost of replacement roses would convince them that you liked the roses and wouldn't have done it ... I know that you shouldn't have to, but sometimes it's worth doing that bit extra in order to keep on good terms with your neighbours.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    As ever, your problem is the LND (Loon Next Door) not the roses.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Dovefromabove said:
    Maybe an offer to contribute to the cost of replacement roses would convince them that you liked the roses and wouldn't have done it ... I know that you shouldn't have to, but sometimes it's worth doing that bit extra in order to keep on good terms with your neighbours.  :)
    Offering to contribute could simply convince the neighbour that the OP was responsible for the damage.  With the apparent problems between them at the moment, I wouldn't make that offer.
  • davidjacobs69davidjacobs69 Posts: 6
    edited June 2018
    Let them have a prove that you have sprayed, but I think you should not worry if you have not. Concentrate on your own roses in your garden if you have any
  • tessagardenbarmytessagardenbarmy Posts: 346
    Google Fireblight in roses. Warm wet weather can trigger it. It is treatable.
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