Pruning rose bush

Unfortunately due to illness we never pruned our rose bushes last Oct or again in March. We can get around the others but our "Austin" rose bush is a concern as it has become very "leggy" and we are very unsure on the best way to prune it down. We would be very grateful for some advice. Many thanks.

 

Wiseowl has kindly created a thread on pruning roses Surfer, here is the link for you...

How and When and Why to Prune Your Roses | Gardeners Corner - The Friendly Gardening Forum

 

Thank you. I have already read it and it is good information. However some others say cut back to a bud? As you can see from the picture the stems or branches are devoid of any buds. I am not sure whether to cut back so that the longest stem is about 3-4ft long and hope for the best or to cut higher up as we do not want to lose this rose bush.

 

Is this wrong?
Would do this in Jan-February

Would also rake back shingle and feed with well rotted manure

 

Many thanks for the excellent advice and highlighting where it should be cut.

 

The information refers to the new tiny leaf buds on the stems, not flower buds @Surfer. Cut about 1/2 inch above the leaf bud and a new shoot will grow from there next season. It will grow in the direction that the 'bud' faces so you have a choice of which bud you cut above.

I would cut the stems back to about 16/18 inches from the base. If you cut them too low you could remove any new leaf buds and no new shoots will appear.

 

I agree with this -but,
if you cut back now to 16", given a mildish winter, then the bush will start to react and the leaf buds will develop. A revisit in February will enable you to achieve the desired result, as the new buds will be obvious.

 

Yes @infradig, you're right. I had my winter pruning hat on when I replied.