Shrub roses send out tall runners instead of being a shrub. Why? How to fix problem?

Question

Last year I bought 7 shrub roses from Lowe’s. They were the $25 kind marked down to $5. Naturally, I bought all I could. They seemed to do well in the plastic pots, but when I planted them in the space I prepared, they would only send out long runners, a few blooms on the way up and clusters on the ends of the “branches”. The Iceburg one is the only one that came near a shrub, but very spindly stems. I used Bayer fertilizer and monitored the watering, but no shrubby growth. I have cut them all down to just stems and they have started growing again, but it looks like they are still going to turn out “leggy” and no shrub kind of growth. Is there anything I can do apart from digging them up? Oh, they are shaded until about 10am then full sun until about 3-4pm. Maybe not enough sun? Sorry, I don’t have the ability to send you photos. Thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

Is it possible they are climbing roses? Doublecheck the tag that came with them. Iceburg has a climbing variety. That might explain the long runners. If they are shrub roses, don't prune anymore now till spring. Then follow these instructions and see if they improve. It sounds like enough sun.

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

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