Simplicity, classed as a Florrie, is intended to make a hedge. It can make a beautiful one, too, if you really plant a lot of them close together. (Understand: I am talking about in California. I have no idea what one would do elsewhere) You can prune it with a hedge clippers. I have seen it done that way, with attractive results. But if it were me, I'd take the trouble to remove dead/crossing growth. You really don't need to remove all of the twiggy growth, but if you already have, it likely won't mind. As to what to do to "Shrub Roses," you almost have to ask that question about each, individually, as there are huge variations within that class. Jeri

Half-day sun is adequate. If they are blooming so little, there may be something wrong with the soil drainage or chemistry, or they need more water and fertilizer. Pruning by 1/3 would probably encourage more bushiness. However, if they are leafing out, pruning now would postpone the spring flush of bloom by a month or so. Normal pruning is done around the time the plants start into growth, or in this case you can prune after the first flush of bloom.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I do prune teas and florabundas. I'm not sure about the shrub roses, which seem quite different to me. One of them has rows of thorns which would put a cactus to shame. I think of them as old-fashioned roses, but I doubt they qualify as antique roses. They are dense bushes with small flowers. When I pruned the biggest (oldest) shrub rose as I would any other rose, it ended up growing into an odd shape. One side of it spurted up about six feet tall and the rest of it grew to the normal four feet or so. Patti, I have read that Pampas Grass should be cut. But I used to visit a wild area in California which had lots of wild Pampas Grass which never got cut. So, considering how difficult the stuff is to cut, I was wondering, why bother? It depends how severe the winter is here as to whether it all browns off. Usually some of it stays green. However, there are a lot of dead leaves. (I'm in central New Mexico.) Good grief a chain saw, huh?! I suppose I could try my hand saw. And, I suppose if I am going to cut it, I'd better get cracking now before it starts putting out new growth. I've got tulips popping up! Lorna

Hi. I took this picture last week at Goodwood Museum and Gardens in Tallahassee, of a rose there called 'Pink Pet'. Looks kind of similar. You'd have to compare more details to make a positive ID, though, and hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in. I've also added a link to 'Pink Pet' at HMF. Seems to do well in the Gulf Coast area. Just a thought. Here is a link that might be useful: 'Pink Pet' at HMF