Question
Hi. I see you've addressed this before so would like a little more info. At Filoli gardens in California they have a Lady Banks 'Lutea' rose that cascades beautifully. I have 3 roses to prune that are on a fence and want to create that effect. I believe it's time to prune now. tell me if I'm right...I should remove any wild whips or canes reaching way skyward. What do I do next since Lady Banks will bloom next spring on this year and last year's growth?

Answer
Lady Banks grows fast and can get away on you so you have to be on the look out all the time for wayward canes. However these wayward canes can be made to drape by putting a little soil in a plastic sandwich bag and fastening it to the end of the upright cane. Only place just enough soil so it hangs just where you want it to. The secret of making a rose drape is to concentrate on the upper canes and thin out the underneath ones especially is they have become like a birds nest. Because Lady Banks throws out long canes you want to work with that because if you don't you might get a butchered look to the rose. Select your main canes that you want to drape, either weight them down or prune them. If you are a perfectionist like I am, I would tie them with ribbon to the fence exactly where you want them to drape and look perfect. When people ask what is the matter with Lady Banks, just say she is horticulturally challenged. Prune to stop these long ones before they reach the ground. Now concentrate on the canes underneath and when you see these heading off in the wrong direction, be ruthless. You have to keep in mind that cutting a cane will often activate it into vigorous growth so it could just grow in the same direction again. The following year simply prune back the main draping canes and again watch for canes in the wrong direction and remove the ribbon that is holding down the long canes. It will have hardened off into the position you want them in.