You could try brushing them off with a stiff brush, but be careful not to damage the finish of your vinyl fence. Lichens are actually very interesting - a symbiotic relationship of a fungus and algae. Since they are self-sustaining, each nourishing the other, they don't really harm any plants on which they are growing. If the stiff brush is not a solution, you might try either a fungicide or algicide.

the greastest polluters on the face of the earth.. are the homeowners who spew fertilizers and chemicals... during inappropriate use ... not according to labels.. or based on mass marketing .... these plants have done just peachy for 90 years .... she has a greater chance of harming them with improper fertilizers or chemicals.. than if she jsut left them alone .. all that said.. my comment was a bit overbroad... start with an ID .. AND A SOIL TEST .... if anything is lacking from the soil .. act accordingly ... once you ID the problem.. take action accordingly ... good luck ken ps: ... my first house was a 60 year old house.. i was all into saving the historical plants .. what a nightmare.. the happiest day of my life at that house.. was the day i got rid of the last nightmare ... please dont live with the prior owners nightmares.. trust me.. you have better things to do ... i woulndt be surprised if you find a couple million seedlings covering the yard ... there are probably better ROS that are sterile... or better plants consistent with the historical period of your new house ...

The blooms and twiggy growth pattern makes me think it is some sort of "china" rose. Where approx to you live? Do you know your climate zone? Chinas love heat, hate cold. Will bloom continuously for months and months if they are happy. Just my opinion, but if this were my rose here is what I would do: 1) Don't worry about pruning it - chinas don't need pruning, especially not at this point when it is under so much stress. If a cane is obviously completely dead, OK to take off but not necessary. 2) Weed ALL of the stuff that it not rose away from the bottom of the plant - out to at least 20". 3) WATER it well, for a couple of days. 4) Scrub off all of that white stuff (looks like some sort of scale planted and being attended by ants - yes, they do keep farm animals). Then, spray it with something that kills scale. In the middle of winter you can also spray it with a dormant spray, to keep them from coming back, but not now. 5) Put some sort of timed release rose food around the base of the rose - out to the same 20 inches - I use Osmacote. Follow the directions - water it in. 6) Put some sort of mulch around the base of the bush - 2-3 inches deep, also out to the same 20 inches. DO NOT let the mulch touch the base of the rose - keep it about 2" away. 7) Make sure you water it well at least once a week, unless you live somewhere where it rains a lot. 8) Stand back, and watch it - it should start doing better within a month. Keep checking it for scale and removing it. Good Luck - this could be a really nice rose. Jackie

t_bird, You will need to post a photo for accurate assistance. Without, Lichens will not damage plant and often black spots on trunk can accompany Lichens. This is all speculation. Question will also be where you reside (climate & conditions), site where plant is. Often Lichens are on shrubs/trees when they are in a low light and shaded area. Rick