Pruning a leggy climbing rose

:?:
We inherited a leggy climbing rose which blooms well above the front door but is bare for the bottom 8 feet. The top growth is pruned back each year. There are only two main stems. Is it safe to prune hard back to encourage more lower growth?

Or, is it worthwhile trying to graft buds to the lower stems. These stems are very old and show no obvious buds of their own. Would there be enough surface sap to nurture a graft?

Over the years a large thumb sized 'knobble' has developed at ground level which gave rise to hopes that it might be a new shoot but, it remains dormant.

[Newt]

Hi Ned,
You should find this site most helpful.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/rose_gardening/7429

Consider planting a clematis to cover the bare botton trunk of your rose.

Btw, I found your website and it's photos fascinating. Great shots!
Newt

Hi Newt.

Thanks for that link. It confirmed what I thought. 'Trouble is, with only two main stems, I'm reluctant to get heavy handed with brutal pruning.
And I think grafting on to ancient wood is a long shot!

:) Yes, I had thought of camouflaging the bottom with clematis or honetsuckle - and I may well take up that option.

Re the web site, it's new, it's growing, it keeps me amused - and it keeps me off the streets. Thanks for the kind remarks. It's amazing what you see when you start looking. :)

[Newt]

Ned,
You're very welcome!! Any idea which rose you have inherited? If it's something like a large Iceberg, New Dawn or one of it's relatives, you could probably use a honeysuckle. But most honeysuckles tend to get quite large. I'd go for a shorter (10' to 12') clematis just to cover the 'legs' of the rose. If you get one of the clematis that blooms on new wood, you would be able to prune it back every year and it won't overwhelm the rose.

I too have recently started taking pics of bugs 'n stuff in my garden. Unfortunatley we can't post pics here off our computer.

Newt

Newt,
No, I haven't any idea what variety it might be.
And you are right about vigorous honeysuckles. We had to teach one a very severe lesson this year! :lol:

We already have five clematis that seem to respond well to being hard pruned each February so I guess that is what we will go for.

Re posting images,
When I have an image that I need help in identifying, I use 'Webshots'
http://www.webshots.com
You don't get much control over the presentation, but it works well enough.

Once you have uploaded your images, you have the choice of putting them on public display or you can invite specific people to view them privately. That gives you the opportunity to invite yourself to preview it before inviting others to see your work.

Good luck with the camera. It can become obsessive. :lol:
My wife does not share my interest and it was she who came up with the derogatory 'bugs and weeds' title for my site.

[Newt]

Thanks for the info on Webshots. I'll think about it, but most of the forums I visit allow uploading from your own computer. I already have over 3500 pictures on my own computer. I really would like to put them on cd's, but... someday.

If you need any info on clematis, just let me know. I have some helpful sites that will help you determine which ones to prune and when and help to id them too. Take a look at this one to help you id the ones you have.

http://www.helpmefind.com/clematis/index.php

You might be able to id your rose at this site. Click on 'Search' in the text at the top of the page and then put in all the info you have.

http://www.everyrose.com/everyrose/index.lasso

Newt