I have a rose Bush that someone gave me in April and we planted it. It has no life except for the very bottom

Question

Can we go ahead and cut back or should we wait till fall

Answer 1

Go ahead and prune it back to where the life is. You might check and see if the growth is coming up from below the grafted union or knuckle on the rosebush. If it is coming up way below and is a grafter rosebush, then the upper and desired rose has died. The growth you are seeing in such a case is coming up from the hardy root stock and usually is not desirable. If it is an Own Root rosebush, you will be okay pruning it back and letting the new growth get bigger. Keep fed and watered.