Question
I BOUGHT A HOME THAT HAS 4 R. BUSHES IN THE FRONT ALONG THE FENCE IN A SHADED AREA.  ONLY 1 PLANT EVER BLOOMS, THE OTHER ARE BRN ON THE LEAVES AND REPEATEDLY GET INFECTED W/ APHIDS.  i'VE USED EVERY SPRAY, POWDER, GRANULES IN THE STORES.  I HAVEN'T PRUNED THEM. I WOULD JUST LIKE THEM TO BE BEAUTIFUL. WHAT CAN I DO?  SYLVIA

Answer
Hi Sylvia..........every kind of rose needs at least six hours of full sun a day to bloom repeatedly...so, my suggestion would be to:  1.  move the bushes to a sunnier spot and prune to about 3ft tall; feed with a six-week granular rose food  and/or an organic ,and every week "hit them with" a water soluble liquid rose fertilizer  2.  if you can't move them or if this is your sunniest spot.......go ahead and prune and feed in the same pattern.
    Less sun gives less and sometimes smaller blooms than full sun........as for the aphids?  try something simple:  
plant garlic cloves by each rose (yes, garlic)  ; the cloves will sprout shoots with little "buds"/flowers ,these deter the aphids naturally....until then , take the hose and "wash" them off with water.  
Good luck and God bless,
j. williamson
visit with us:  www.angelique-roses.com
for more rose care tips!