Question
I have some well-established roses that I think are floribundas in Henderson,
NV.
I went to a class about pruning and I'm working on them now.  At the class
they also advised me to mulch now.  I know from growing roses in the North
east that once spring comes we should clear away winter mulch to discourage
suckers.  My question is:  Should I spread the mulch but keep an area close to
the the root stock clear?  If so, how far away from the root stock should the
mulch be?

Answer
This is the first time I have ever heard that mulches cause suckers. Suckers don't ned any help to come and are cause by a rose that is weak, diseased or a gardener that has accidentally caused a wound near the base of the rose bush. If you would feel more at ease then you could leave about 6 inches all around the base of the rose free of mulch.  Roses really love cool roots and do much better with a mulch of any kind around them.