This is what I wrote before I went back and fully read your query:

I know you are south of me, and I have not seen it here this spring, but I will still ask.

Recent brief freeze (low enough to affect the newest growth) by you?

We had a freeze a couple weeks ago, but roses that didn't show damage at thst time havr started to sgoe damage. I'd be worried about chili thrips, but we just had our coldest winter in several years so it seems unlikely that they'd show up for the first time this year.

Chili thrips made mine very brown and small like a portion of what you have shown. they are active already in my zone 9a garden but they have not produced anything like this for me yet. i usually don’t see damage like this until July in my area.

Summary Diagnosis So Far (based on all 3 photos + your notes):

• You’re seeing cold/fertilizer/possibly wind or dry stress to new, vulnerable growth.
• It is not spreading across the plant or from plant to plant in an infectious pattern.
• You may lose a chunk of your first flush, but recovery is very likely with proper care.

What to Do:

• Prune damaged tips (they won’t recover).
• Hold off on fertilizing for now — the roots need time to stabilize.
• Watch for new shoots from the base or lower nodes.
• Water evenly, not too much or too little.
• If you want, apply kelp or seaweed extract (like liquid fish/seaweed blends) as a gentle tonic — it’s very low in NPK and can help stimulate new root and shoot growth without overfeeding.

Possibly:

1. Change of fertilizer used. Too much?

2. Wind drift of weed killer hit the foliage, or another deforming/toxic chemical accidentally hitting foliage?

3. Look for Rose Midge Fly damage?

4. New spring growth is merging from older worn out canes, or from winter damaged last year's canes, which previous year's growths are not healthy/vigorous enough to sustain healthy new growth?

5. Spring Fever...where weird growth is attributable to unusual/abnormal weather in spring?

I hope whatever it is Markay, that it corrects itself and things return to normal.

Moses.

My damage does look and sound a lot like the rose midge search results I am seeing online.

It could be over-fertilization.

Whatever the issue was with my roses, it seems to be resolving. I am not seeing new damage and the roses are setting buds! This makes me think it was primarily weather related. Other than a couple roses that haven’t completely recovered from transplant shock, roses are looking pretty good despite lack of blooms.

My guess is Rose Midge ☹ They're the worst!

Rose midge fly damage on the first flush is not the rule. The midge flies normally emerge from dormancy a little late to infest the first growth that has progressed to/beyond tip flower buds that are garden pea size.

After a spring shoot's tip flower buds are garden pea size, the rose midge fly female almost always does not lay her eggs there...I assume the rose tissue is already too tough for her maggots, which are miniscule, to chew, which she instinctively knows. Or, it could be that chemicals produced by the rose developing more mature flower buds inhibit feeding. Or, the chemical trail in the air that directs a nocturnal fly to a desirable growing tip in darkness, are no longer produced by the rose once the flower buds start gaining size beyond the garden pea size. Lots of unknowns.....which entomologist have not fully researched yet...not enough research interest/money.

If you are not seeing classic rose midge fly damage right now, and the strange growth you have shown in your photos has resolved itself, I am glad for you.

Moses