what to do with rosa rugosa

lorientgirl

Hi all, I need some help.
I have several rosa rugosa plants by the front garden wall (look a bit like wild roses)
They have got very leggy and scruffy and a bit too high. I normally prune the flowering bits but am a bit scared to cut into the bark, also have a bit of dead wood too. I want to cut them down so that they bloom just about the wall (about 3ft 6, ) Can I do this or will it kill them off forever?

Jayar

This plant is one tough cookie. It's the type of plant that usually grows "despite me"
I usually just whack off as much as I want around this time of year. Cut the old wood right out and you can leave as much of the newer wood as you like. I usually leave around 18" or so. They seem to like this type of treatment.
Be careful though, get your leather gloves on!

GreenNotM

As Jayar says they will be fine see links below

RHS wrote:

Species, shrub, miniature bush and rugosa roses
Pruning group 20

Pruning season: Late summer, after flowering
Maintenance: For non-remontant roses prune main stems lightly or by up to one-third and reduce sideshoots by half to two-thirds. For remontant roses see Group 21.
Renewal: Cut out up to a quarter of the oldest flowered stems.

Bourbon, China, Portland and remontant roses of Group 20
Pruning group 21

Pruning season: Late winter to early spring
Maintenance: In the dormant season prune main stems lightly or by up to one-third and reduce sideshoots by half to two-thirds.
Renewal: Cut out up to a quarter of the oldest flowered stems.

From here http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/pruning_groups_roses.asp
And the how is here http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0201/rose_pruning.asp

nodwah

I agree with Jayar, we have a load of these at the back which we're trying to get rid of mainly because they'r so jaggy they'd rip our kids to bits if they fell against them.
Finding it hard to kill them! They seem to grow back from any old hacking away and produce new stems from underground too.

Jnelhams

This month's issue of THE GARDEN had a really useful article on Rose growing, tip No.1 regardless of Rose - Use a hedge trimmer across the middle!

lorientgirl

Thank you all very much for your help. I will be brave!