Spindly DA rose

[Dallasdays]

Hello all,

I bought 2 new DA shrub roses last year - Sir John Betjeman. This is their second summer and there are lots of blooms but all of the branches are so spindly that they can't support the blooms and they just droop. I do feed and water it. I didn't prune it too much over the winter as it was quite small/new. Any ideas on what I can do? Pictures attached.

TIA x

I'd like to know too. No matter what I do our DA roses look crap while the others are always beautiful!

I would just prone it now to improve appearances, may lose the blooms but may get a second flush.

Is it too much rain this year?
My rose by the front door is spindly this year and the leaves are yellow -the ones that haven’t fallen off blooms are good - but so much rain where I am -I I think it’s that

I think DA roses take up to 3 years to get going, and you have to prune right as well. Mine are 3 years old and are just now starting to look stronger.

I followed the instructions the first year on the new rose.

https://eu.davidaustinroses.com/blogs/news/pruning-an-english-shrub-rose

I'd prune it after flowering.

Thanks all. I agree that DA roses do seem to take a few years to build some strength. If I were to prune it now to leave only relatively strong branches, there wouldn't be much left! Do you think I should do that, or wait until the autumn to do a full prune?

Prune now to get a second flush.

I wonder if it is just a characteristic of these old roses that DA specialises in. My Munstead Wood is the same and has been for years- loads of blooms on spindly stems.

DA roses definately take a few years to build up their strength. I'd just prune hard at the end of this year and then maybe another milder prune in spring before flowerbuds start to form - tend to keep the stems shorter and sturdier for the time being.

I honestly think I've had much more satisfaction from my Peter Beale roses than my DA ones. DA roses have their 'look' but they are never quite as robust and successful as the PB ones, ime.

Oh, and as your roses are drooping down now, personally I'd cut them off and take them indoors for the vase so you get some enjoyment out of them.