I recently bought a house with overgrown climbing Roses (twice blooming). Can I cut them back hard before the winter or should I

Question

wait until spring? Most of the leaves have already fallen off but a few still remain. I was not able to properly take care of them this summer as I am still learning so some parts are diseased (white mildew and black spots) and we did get a white grub infestation.

Answer 1

Since you say twice blooming, I assume you've been through a season with them and have seen them bloom. According to the article below by our resident rose expert, repeat blooming climbing roses can be shaped or trimmed in late winter or early spring. This is assuming the roses bloom on new wood and not old wood. You don't want to cut off any buds. You should be able to see buds forming by now if it does bloom on old wood.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/pruning-climbing-roses.htm