Rose bush needs help.
Just moved in to our new hose this spring, there is a beautiful yellow rose bush in the back yard. Problem is that it is at least 8ft tall and falling over. This seems to be an old bush since the stems at the ground are 1.5 to 2 inches thick. I have cut some of the dead stems out, but I would like it to be shorter and more bush like. I have no idea how to do this the right way without killing the whole thing. The large stems have new growth on them, but 4 to 5 ft up. I hope someone will help me do the right thing for this beautiful old rose bush.
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You can cut down the more thinner stems to the desired height now, but there is no need to try and prune it yet. If the stems are falling over, just shorten them. It's still growing possibly, so I would leave most the hard pruning for next year in early spring time. Any shaping done now will not damage your rose bush.
Next year, prune the stems down to 2 ft in height and prune off any dead looking or weak looking stems. Hopefully, you will have created a much more mound forming shape for it to start off.
Thank you. I'll try that. So afraid of cutting too much.