Charles, before anyone answers, we need to know more.

It SOUNDS like your rose is a remontant rambler, but it would really help to have an idea of its identity. Can you get photos?

Definitely remove dead growth. That's easy. Do it any old time. If it grows somewhere you don't want it to go, you can remove that growth, too (or train it in a different direction). That, too, you can do at any time. But to tell you when to do real pruning -- for that we should know more about what it is.

Jeri

I'll try to get a photo tonight.

Here is the flower, just past full bloom and last one left at this stage.

Here is the overall bush. 3-4 feet in diameter. 3 feet tall.

Does it repeat bloom in summer or only give one flush in spring?
Olga

It just did its main bloom and may do a much smaller bloom later in the summer. It gets very tired looking in the heat of summer. Leaves yellow and die off, etc. Then it will green up a bit and put a few booms out. Then into normal fall leaf off for winter.

Any ideas on type and continued maintenance?

Charles

I'm not aware of any rose that needs to be deadheaded. I think most rose gardeners do that because it looks a lot neater. Some people maintain that deadheading encourages new growth and blooms--which is why they do it. Likewise, most roses don't require pruning although there can be certain benefits from pruning. Other than deadwood, I usually only prune in the very early spring and then only on roses that had winter damage from low temps.

For general care, roses need a minimum of 6 hours of sun, water, and at least one feeding per season--any 10-10-10 type food will work, but many of us like rose food like RoseTone (or any one of the --Tones) which we may put on in the early spring and after each bloom cycle--perhaps 3 times a season.

Kate

'Tired looking in the heat of summer' means that you aren't giving it enough water. Deep water twice a week and your rose will stay green -- and you'll get a better fall flush of blooms. A little splash of water from the hose or an occasional thundershower won't provide enough water for a rose in 90 degree temps. You need to give it an inch of water twice a week (or a five gallon bucket twice weekly). It looks like a polyantha, should be a great landscape plant with a little more loving attention.

It's an interesting looking rose, with its combination of matte leaves, rebloom, and scent, and I hope someone can identify it. I'm not convinced about the Polyantha suggestion (sorry, Cecily!).