Well the principle is, and it does work, that you cut old woody canes right down to the ground, it will encourage the production of new basal canes - like the fresh green one on the rose on the right - and stimulate new growth generally. To do that though, a rose needs lots of deep, regular water and regular feeding as it will need the energy and my slight concern is that it’s such a narrow space there to get that right down to the roots. I would also remove the slates (which can inhibit growth) and mulch the entire planting area thickly with well-rotted, bagged manure, keeping it just shy of the actual bases of the canes. You can then mulch over the top with ordinary compost.
Right o, so I've just taken the opportunity. The Iceberg one, once I cut away spindly bits this is what I'm left with which I hope is ok. I've left the main 'woody' stem up through the middle circled in blue which goes quite tall and wasn't sure whether to cut it back. There are some others I've highlighted as well
The school girl one is a bit simpler and left one long stem going up through the middle and the new one at the front which looks good I've cut back down.
This is where everyone says "What the hell have you done"
Your iceberg will be fine ,not sure about the other one ,you maybe won’t get many flowers on it next year .You’ve done it now so it’s wait and see but we cut our iceberg every year like that , it’s 34 years old and still flowering like a good ‘ un .
Posts
The bed started off as being flush with the drive but I put some boxing around it to raise it. I think they were planted in 2016/17
Sorry @Athelas just repeated what you said!
Thank you all
The school girl one is a bit simpler and left one long stem going up through the middle and the new one at the front which looks good I've cut back down.
This is where everyone says "What the hell have you done"