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Really old roses

RacheleforsythRacheleforsyth Posts: 6
in Plants
Hi. To say I'm an amateur gardener is an understatement I live in an old house with a walled garden. When I moved 17 years ago there were lovely white roses covering the wall. The trunks look ancient and all the growth all seems to be at the top. Infact, the top is right mess, new growth over old and its so top heavy its coming away from the wall. There is little or no growth for the first 5-6 foot .They recently flowered, and would normally flower again.  Im guessing they need to be pruned back hard and trained along the wall? I'm going to add pictures. Any advice please?

Posts

  • RacheleforsythRacheleforsyth Posts: 6

  • RacheleforsythRacheleforsyth Posts: 6

  • RacheleforsythRacheleforsyth Posts: 6
    When flowering
  • RacheleforsythRacheleforsyth Posts: 6
    Racheleforsyth said:

    Top with all the deadwood
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    Nice walled garden....  too much to cope with there trying to tidy them up,  so what I would do, is rather brutal and ruthless, but cut them both [I think there are 2 roses?].. right back into the old wood, about 3 foot up the wall...need a good saw..  of course you would then have all the dead growth to dispose of, but you would in effect be starting out again with them, assuming they recover... they usually do, but that's a risk to take.. it wouldn't worry me to do that..

    You may have 'Alberic Barbier' and 'Mme Alfred Carrier' there... can't be sure, but if you look those two up and see if they resemble your roses..
    East Anglia, England
  • RacheleforsythRacheleforsyth Posts: 6
    Marlorena, thank you so much for replying and your advice.  

    Should I cut them now? Or later in the year?

    I have 4, but only captured 2 in my pictures. I've looked up the roses you mentioned  and I'm still not sure! I'll try to find some flowers tomorrow and will post more pictures as I'd love to know what they are.

    Thanks again,  very much appreciated. 
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I would do it now... it gives them time to recover before winter...
    East Anglia, England
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