Any rose experts about?

[StrawberryPot]

We have a couple of climbing roses either side of the front door. They were there when we moved in so I don't know what type they are. One of them suffers really badly from black spot, has very heavy blooms that the plant doesn't seem able to support and has blooms that turn brown before they open properly. It's straggly and frankly looks a mess.

I've pruned it heavily, tried to keep on top of the black spot etc - but this year it looks worse than ever.

It's planted in a small gap in the patio so presumably would be impossible to dig the roots out. I'm tempted to cut it right back to ground level this autumn and see what happens. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Some rose varieties suffer far more from blackspot than others, and you do get some varieties with heavy blooms that get damaged in wet weather and don't open properly. Sounds like you have both issues on the one plant.

To be honest, I'd be tempted to get rid of it altogether and plant something else in its place, a honeysuckle maybe. You can't re-plant a rose in the same spot because the soil will be what is referred to as rose sick.

The only other alternative would be to prune it really hard early next year, and feed it like crazy. If you do decide to keep it, then make sure you always clear away dead and diseased leaves otherwise they fall to the ground and the spores re-infect the rose next year. Use Roseclear - they do one for blackspot and rust etc.

@gingersplodgecat - thanks. I think I tried Roseclear a couple of years ago with little success. I start removing affected leaves as soon as I see them but it gets to a point where I'd be taking off too many.

I think I'll give it one more year but cut it right down in the winter. Interesting about not planting another rose - I didn't know that - thank you.

@gingersplodgecat I have had the exact same thing with my roses this year. I've cut it all back so it's tiny now. I sprayed it with homemade solution of sunflower oil, eco friendly washing up liquid and bicarbonate of soda. I seen that on a YouTube video for black spot on Rose's. Going to give it plenty of food and hope for the best for next year.

I am new to gardening and don't know what type of Rose's they are as they were there when I moved into this house. It was nearly dead and gone but I've looked after it the past few years it grew back thick and green. Was sad yesterday to have to cut all the buds off. This would have been my first year with loads of bloom.