John Cabot rose bush

by Jackie
(St.John's, NL)

My rose bush has had black spot all summer and i can't seem to get rid of it. If I cut it all the way back during the fall and start treating it next summer will this help? It did however have beautiful ample roses this summer, but no leaves! Made it rather unsightly!

Doug says that you can indeed cut a 'John Cabot' back and it will still bloom next year. Do leave 12 inches of stalk above ground though so you'll have new buds produced. And get onto that organic black spot control programme as I've outlined on this site first thing in the spring.