Pruning and feeding roses in late summer

Billy Liar

For various reasons most of my roses (mostly David Austin type) did not get pruned in early spring. They are now rather leggy...
Is it safe to prune them back now to tidy them up. And if so, how hard can I be and should I feed afterwards?
Thank you.

Obelixx

I use dead-heading as a pruning regime when roses get leggy.  Instead of going back to the first decent set of leaves I just go lower down.   You'll want to go low enough to reduce wind rock in autumn gales as this can cause root damage.   If you want to encourage more flowers, use tomato fertiliser or seaweed.   You don't want anything with a high nitrogen content as this will encourage soft, sappy growth that won't have time to mature before the frosts.

Billy Liar

Thank you. Will do that. And will leave my bags of FYM till next spring.

Obelixx

Or put them on in late winter for the worms to work in for you.  By then the roses will have shut down growth above ground tho maybe still flowering and won't come to any harm from being fed.  Their roots will appreciate it.