standard roses

[maggie01]

I have two very old standard roses (they were here when we moved in). One is very fragrant and smells like turkish delight. I prune them back quite hard but they have stems about two foot long and they look more Iike large rose bushes on a stem. Is there any way I can get them into a neat shape. There must be about 36 flowers on one. It seems a shame to dig them up and discard them.

[Clanad]

It would help to know if they only bloom once during the summer season or if the blooms repeat.  The link following helps a great deal in understanding plant control with pruning... Best luck!

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/prune-oldgarden.html

[maggie01]

thanks that was a big help. I was not sure about cutting into old wood.  Yes these roses keep flowering all summer. Thats why I am reluctant to dig them up.