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This rose bush has been in our yard for some 50 years. From the ground upwards several feet, the main trunk is barren and "dead-looking". The growth that comes out at that point (and a couple of shoots coming up separately) look great. It blooms freely and has stood at over 10 feet with roses atop.
At one point, I tried to cut back the "dead-looking" trunk, but it proved too difficult for me. Now, a whole new section of growth is sprouting from the gash I left in it when I tried to cut it.
Question -- how best to prune / preserve this old beauty? Did I do something right (without realizing it) when I cut that gash in the old section? How can I turn it back into a bushy -- instead of leggy -- plant?
I'm not sure about the "gash," but as a rule shrub roses are cut back roughly 50% on Valentine's Day (easy to remember). Cut all the canes, old and new, back to a bud that faces OUTWARD so the plant will bush out, allowing for good air circulation. If your rose gets enough sunlight, this should rejuvenate it and it should bloom its head off next spring and summer.
