Hello, i have several old large flowering roses which flower quite well and are healthy but have got to about 5-6ft. Should i take down to knee height? I'm scared to! Thank you
In a word, yes. If you want them to flower lower down you're going to have to prune them. After pruning give them a good mulch with something like well rotted manure or garden compost. Generally roses are as tough as old boots so don't worry!
If in doubt, prune to waist level this month, then next year down to knee level. Always to an outward growing bud. Yes they are often as tough as old boots but the shock of such an extreme prune can kill them off. Mulch and feed too.
I think it looks lovely the way it is. Nice shape, healthy and pretty. Are you sure you would want to risk it? May be just plant an additional shorter rose next to it?
Posts