I would not do all that thinning. More leaves, more blooms.

I am being more generous on my deadheading. Last year, I was that mentality - more leaves, more food..

After having one go from BR tro 5 Feet High on it's 1st year, this year, I am taking about 12 inches more or less as I deadhead some. I much prefer the more squatter rounded look vs. Vert

I wish I were caught up on my deadheading. My Boscobel has a nice shape without much help here. I like all shapes and sizes, but more grooming, deadheading, wood chip mulching would all be wonderful here. I'll probably be finding out how many plants do without deadheading the way it is going. I love naturalistic plantings, and apparently that is all I have time for.

If you enjoy giving your plants more direction, I'm sure that would be fine too.

Since you have so much growth I would take some of the crossing canes in the middle to allow more air s

circulation and hopefully get less BS. I have done it on my more vigorous growers. I also try to redirect canes as they are growing.

This discussion has prompted me to resolve to post, here, in the coming week, a Primer on Advanced pruning techniques for Expert rosarians.

I’ve been meaning to do this for quite some time. I need to locate the photos I have in mind.

Thanks, a1an, for the push.

Thanks. BS was and was not on my radar (new here) . A few roses did lose quite bit of it's leaves as the season progressed last year, right before Sept/Fall time. I have not decided whether I'm going to be spraying or not. I try not to ....survival of the fittest, eh.

Since you mentioned it, I guess it t would be worthwhile to spend some time pulling/ID the crossing stems and thinning it out. I would say we're talking maybe 3 sets of crossing canes. I -noticed- how dense it was and saying it needs more air...

HA HA. You guys should have seen me last year. I like buying plants physically in person. I get to cherry pick the lot....ya know. With mail order roses, there was a few, I was not crazed how the budded stems were and in what direction they were in. There was more than a few where I actually had put down stakes and had twine pulling/redirecting the budded stems.

Looking forward to the read. I got my Tea Brewing today.....Going to make a second pass on thinning it out a bit before I give it some -tea-

Not rushed for time tis afternoon, I took a deeper dive into figuring out the crossing canes. I did not prune them back to the main branch but did prune them short enough so it would not cross and the next rose shoot would not conflict.