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How to look after this

edited July 2021 in Problem solving
I've just bought a house which is the first place I've had a garden, as a grown up, so I'm not great at gardening or plant care past basic potted plants!

This (Rose bush??) Is in my front garden and as you can see, is in need of some TLC. It is currently supported by a timber wedged against the masonry wall. It's also a little out of control.

My first thought was to cut it back to a manageable height but that would only leave a thick trunk and no thinner stems with flowers. So not sure where to go from here.

Please send help!


Posts

  • This link to advice from the late John Cushnie may help.https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/gardenerscorner/john/plants_flowers/john119.shtml#:~:text=With very old bush and,will push out new growths.

    You should carry out work in the dormant season - late autumn to early winter. You have to take the risk as I can't see any other option.

    I do feel for your rose. It's grown well over the years but its location is not doing it any favours, hemmed in by concrete. Hardly any space for a generous mulch of composted manure. If renovating the front garden is in your plan, I would try and lift some of the concrete and perhaps create a bed where the rose could be the star.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Could you provide some clear pictures of the flowers and leaves so we could attempt an ID?
    That way we would have some idea of what kind of rose it is. If it is a climber or a rambler you will not be able to "cut it back to a manageable height" and expect it to stay there, without providing suitable support.
    Peering at the picture it looks rather like a rose my parents had growing over a rustic arch. Called 'New Dawn', it was very vigourous, very thorny, very prolific and very beautiful. By the time we left that house it was the rose holding up the arch rather than the other way round :)
    You could have a look and see if it looks similar to you, but you will still be left with a problem, as, whatever its name, it is clearly the wrong rose for that space, with the building and the street so close. It doesn't present as something could cut down low and then keep neatly trimmed. I hate to say it, but it might have to go :(
    Maybe others will have more inspiration!
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    My initial reaction is to agree with @Buttercupdays. We have several rose experts on here who may well be able to give you a positive id and a way of restoring it, but if it were me l think l would take it out.
    If you want to keep it, it will need a fair bit of tlc . As it's now "your" garden, this may be the opportunity to have the plants that you want and can learn about, to make it your own space. 

    Welcome to the forum by the way, you have come to the right place for information and advice  :)
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Thanks everyone. I would like to try and save it first and if that fails will replace with something I've chosen. 

    When I'm next there in a week I'll get a close up to see if you can identify it

    I do plan to rip up the concrete and put a pebble bed down so can certainly also leave a larger area for soil
  • Finally managed to get a close up
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