Question
I live on Cape Cod and want to cut my Rosa Rugosa back to the ground.  I have a bed 5' x 20' in front of my house.  After cutting back I will mulch/fertilize with seaweed from the beach.  Can I cut them back now or do I have to wait until the spring (Feb/March)?  They are way too tall and I want other items in the bed, bayberry and beach grass, to grow along withthe roses.

Thank you in advance for your response

Answer
Spring might be a better time for severely cutting back a rose. The reason is because the rose then has to make new growth and the spring is ideal as it starts out cool and then becomes warm. These are ideal conditions for new growth. You still can prune them back now because your winters are not of the nasty kind, but the rose may even start into growth in the warm periods as rose roots are actively when it is 40'. However the growth  will not be as strong as the spring growth.