pruning roses

[tearinghair]

I know the usual time for pruning roses is in March, but is it also possible to do it about now? I seem to remember from my father's old gardening books that November is an alternative, but maybe advice has changed since then? Mine are rather 'leggy' and untidy, and this year some (I have all HTs) almost reverted to 'dogrose' type. I must be doing something wrong. Any help would be much appreciated.

[365058bet]

I give mine a trim in November and then in march a good haircut down to a bud,, it will do them good and they will look tidier...

[hammerman]

As above. Remove about 1/3 of the growth now then finnish the job in spring

[tearinghair]

Many thanks, both of you. I'll do that.

[rowanwitch]

The reverted bits are suckers from below the graft... pull them off and see whats left...if they have really taken over might be worth replacing the roses altogether

[tearinghair]

I do hope not, Rowanwitch; three of them are Superstar, which was my Dad's favourite, Ruby Wedding (for obvious reasons) and a fairly recent winner in best rose category whose name I can't remember but is a pure white for my mother's native Yorkshire. The other two are Alpine Sunset and Dutch Gold, both of which have provided me with some gorgeous photos. I'll have a go at the suckers asap. Many thanks for your advice,

[Clanad]

It's not unusual for hybrid teasto revert... sending up shoots from the host plant. My experience, after much frustration and spent patience is to dig it up. The shoots will grow magnificently... but never produce a bud and neither will the rest of the rose.
By the way, here in the western U.S. we prune only in the fall and do it fairly severly (with the exception of climbers.) But... we have severe winters and the roses require "tipping" or covering with lots of mulch to survive. Even with the best of care, I usually lose about 30%. At any rate the fall pruning should suffice. Be sure to remove the older, dried canes and spruce up the interior part of the plant to assure good air circulation when it all starts growing again next season...

[tearinghair]

I'll do my best, Clanad, I really don't want to lose them unless I have to. Last winter in the Midlands (UK) was fairly harsh so maybe that's when the problem started.
I didn't know roses could be grown satisfactorily in western US; my son and his family live in northern California, so I'll encourage him to have a go.
Many thanks.

[Clanad]

actually some of the best roses here in the U.S.come from northern California, Oregon and Washington... although nearer the coast than inland...

[modeller]

I have found that shrubs in general are best left with their foliage over the winter it acts like a blanket against snow and frost .