Question
I have a 5yr old Lady Banks planted next to a freestanding wooden arbor with latillas across the top. I thought the rose would grow up and over the top but it is like a wild spider with legs everywhere. How do I manage this rose?

Answer
Sounds like Lady Banks is growing the way it normally does, just like a wild spider. I guess you don't want to hear me tell you that the best way to control this rose is when you plant it. You then select the few main canes and tie them onto the arbor. Then you tie the canes farther up the arbor as it grows. However you do have two alternatives. One is to start from square one and cut it right back and then train it or the other is to get dressed up in a metal suit, gather the rose up in your arms and place it against the post tying it as you go. You can then cut off the bit that stick out too far. Lady Banks has to be pruned back hard every year. Don't be cncerned how to prune it, just cut the bits that are in the way. If you are in a warm climate, I would prune it back hard but if you have colder winters then I would try and place it against the arbor. I have put a nasty thorny rose against an arbor by wrapping it first in a sheet or some material, tying it up and then placing it on the arbor. Getting your partner to help you can be the acid test of a relationship!