Frankly, if I were attempting to salvage that 17- or 18-yr-old 'Blue Ribbon', I would remove it immediately from its present location, do some serious root pruning on it if necessary, and plant it in a large container of fresh soil. Once rejuvenated, it could be replanted in a location where it would not be in such extreme competition for light and nutrients. I feel that container culture for ailing plants gives me much greater control, and gives the plant a better chance for recovery. It appears that an automatic watering device is incorporated into your beds. Be aware that container-grown roses demand more vigilance than those planted directly in the garden. Unless one provides an automatic drip system, containers require frequent monitoring to maintain proper moisture. Now here's what I'd like to do for the remaining roses in your foundation planting: Remove EVERY trace of grass/dichondra/oxalis; carefully hand-till the soil around and between the bushes -- deeply enough to break-up the top 4 to 6 inches of soil; add a generous layer of compost or rich top soil (working it in to the degree that you can), and then finish with a layer of mulch of some sort. Periodic application of fertilizer (especially now and early in the fall) is generally a very good idea. There's got to be a chapter of the American Rose Society in your area, & I'd guess that most ARS chapters in CA have members who are consulting rosarians. Perhaps one of them might consult with you via email or -- who knows -- maybe even in person. Also, if you succeed in resuscitating your 'Blue Ribbon' one of those local experts might advise you on how to propagate that rare rose so you'll always have one and a spare for your garden. I'll bet I'm not the only one on this forum who marvels at the fact that your roses are as old as they are, look as good as they do, appear to be disease-free and have been cared for by one who admittedly has paid very little attention to them until now. ;) We hope you have great success in rescuing all your roses! Here is a link that might be useful: Consulting Rosarians by Area

Should be okay, a graft is a graft. One cultivar may take over eventually, but that could happen whether the bud union is above or below ground.

I know! Which is why I bought 3 bushes. One of them, in my perennial bed gets bs late in the season but the other two get bs to the point that I am considering removing them. I don't have any trouble with my Kiss Me or Sunrise Sunset, Kashmir, Como Park or my Weeks rose Drop Dead Red. If you want a good hybrid tea style red rose Drop Dead red and Kashmir have been good in my bs magnet garden in humid hot SW Ohio at the height of summer. i have had good luck so far with all my Kordes roses and with Belinda's Dream ( touch wood).

Jackie, no they ate it. They like to chew out the centres of the new growth. They went for Madame and Frederick quite hard. The others seem to be left alone, I guess because the branches are so twiggy. They also enjoy eating rose hips, that I don't mind so much. In fact I dont really mind them chewing the roses, or eating all my pomegranates because they are such beautiful birds, plus they keep the garden free of evil spirits. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/twentyeights-keep-evil-spirits-at-bay-20130325-2gpmt.html