It could be a couple of things. If they're yellowing from the top down, the canes are probably dying back. If they're yellowing from the bottom up, it could be overwatering. Newly planted/transplanted roses could be experiencing either one.

Keep an eye on them: water, but don't over-water. Lots of mulch can help - even enough to cover the whole plant if they're new bare roots. If they were previously potted, you might try to aerate the soil outside the pot line so the roots will branch out.

Good dirt inside the hole but how big was the hole and what kind of dirt is outside it? I'm just thinking of the bathtub effect which happens when a small but deep hole is dug in clay. After thinking about it for 20 years or so, I believe a hole which is 3 ft in diameter and only 12 inches deep is superior to the usual 2x2 planting hole.

I have the same thing on 2 of the 3 potted year old bands I just planted. Yellow leaves plus a few of the buds had sepals that turned yellow and the buds dried up. I'm hoping it's just transplant stress. The drainage in these spots is good, so i don't think it's too much water.

I'd guess you are over-watering, especially if the leaves are soft and yellow. Since they are newly planted/transplanted and in good soil, the size of the hole shouldn't be an issue just yet and if you spread/loosened the roots when you planted them, aerating won't make a difference. If your underlying soil is clay, then you are probably not getting good drainage and the water stays in the hole, regardless of size and shape. Did you pack your soil snuggly around the roots (firm enough that you have to work a bit to push a finger in, but you can still do so). If your soil is too loose, it will leave air pockets as it settles, and you would get dry, brittle yellowed leaves.

Hey thanks everyone for answering me so quickly. The soil isn't a spot with clay in it. They are yellowing from the bottom up and the leaves are soft and yellow. I always try to loosen up the roots but I believe the roots weren't very tight. I will check and make sure the dirt is packed nice around it. We are expecting some rain tomorrow so I guess that doesn't help but everything else will love it. Thanks again for your help!! Judy