Rose bush help?

The previous owners of my family's house owned a landscaping company; Unfortunately, they all married off and the plants and grass was left uncared for.





There is /one/ rosebush and I was wondering how I can whip it back into shape so it will fully bloom! I didn't know what it was at first until I saw a single, dead flower on it. My mom said it was a rose. Another thing is that there are thorns all over the bush.





Where do I start? I am extremely new to gardening, keep that in mind. Pictures of the rose bush's condition are below.





The whole bush:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/b...





Single flower:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/b...

Rose bush help?
What you should do is create a bed for it by digging out the grass. Once you do that get some Miracle Grow for roses (available at Lowe's %26amp; HomeDepot - they are timed released fertilizer pellets) and sprinkle some down. Next buy some mulch and mulch the base so that it will retain moisture when it is hot out. You may also want to buy Immunox (also available at Lowes). Immunox prevents %26amp; cures diseases on roses and other flowers. Follow the directions on the can... Your plant looks healthy and some rose fertilizer will help it along....When it is hot it is better to water the roses in the morning or evening when it is cooler out.. Good luck :)
Reply:you know...it may just need some simple pruning and give it some plant food like miracle grow for roses. I used it on mine and they bloom beautifully. I'm no exspert, so may also want to try talking to a local nusery. That's what I've been doing and have gotten some really great advice and info on gardening.


From looking at your photo, you may also want to remove all the grass/weeds that near the base of the plant. And be sure to give enough water daily.
Reply:i'm pretty sure that if you severely prune the bush it will regrow beautifully. pruning is GOOD for roses. however, just to be sure, google "care of roses" and you'll find a surprising amount of information. there's probably even a roses.com
Reply:Looks like you have canker on one of your canes. I believe that you have to cut that cane to below the disease.


Prune all the dead in the plant and throw it out.


I like funginex to help with fungus.
Reply:Spring / Summer: Give plenty of water as they need lots of water for healthy flowering. Remove the grass around it and mulch a 2" layer to protect the roots from over heating. Also provide some rose food for good blossoms.





Winter: Before the frost sets in, prune them and cover them up with covers that are sold in hardware stores specially for roses. These are bucket shaped made of thermacoal (degradable ones are expensive). You protect them by placing them upside down and saving them from chilled air. All this can be elliminated if you live in a place which is warm throughout the year.





Roses are high maintenance plants but it worth it if you get some good blooms.
Reply:after you get through with what everyone else above has told you to do ,I would reccomend you putting used cooled coffee grounds at the base of the plant. Roses are acid loving plants and reg coffee is full of acid . good luck .