Question
Hello, I greatly would appreciate your knowledge and advice

Rugosas Roses (I think)
We live in a house that is 100 yrs old and have tons of these rose bushes that are overgrown with Lupin flowers. We live in the UP of Michigan the bushes would be beautiful if I knew what I should do to clean them up and prune. They are blooming now, but have not bloomed every year. They are also spreading at a very rapid pace.

Any suggestions? Thank you for your time

Answer
If they are Rugosas, I would wait until they have finished blooming as that is when they will put on new growth. Then cut them down to 24 inches and take out the very old grey coloured canes right to the base. The leaves of the Rugosa rose are very unique and if you look at a picture you will see that they are very wrinkled. Just make sure the roses are Rugosas before you go ahead and cut them down. Rugosa photos
http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.5411.2&tab=36
If they are modern roses, better to wait until next spring and then cut them down the same way as the Rugosas. After you have cut the rose bush down, clear away any weeds or other plants in a 2 foot circle. If the roses are sending out suckers, after cleaning around the base of the bush, take a shovel and slice all around the outer edge of the cleared circle. Then grab a hold of the sucker and pull it out. If you can't pull on it then cut it off, pull again and keep cutting it off. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of any rose fertilizer around the base and in a few weeks you will see brand new growth.