pruning old roses

[missesbell]

I have inherited a garden with some old climbing roses that have all their growth at the top and long thick woody stems. When can I prune them and how low should I go?

[Clanad]

While there will be disagreement among rose growers (surprise!) I've had the best luck for many years of spring pruning just as the lower part of the bush begins to green up. In your case, I'd recommend severe pruning. Rose bushes are hardy and difficult to damage by pruning. All of the wood, dead old stems should be removed, and all crossing canes should be pruned back to encourage air circulation and give better shape to your bushes. Additionally, I've had really good results in fertilization the roses by using the rose "spikes" one pushes into the ground around the base. One only has to do it once per season and the balance of the constituents is well designed for rose needs...

[shylock73]

You could bend the long branches down to run lengthways so that new shoots will sprout from the main stem in the spring and grow upwards to produce many more flowers.