Need Some Info re Banksia Roses

[kabarine]

We have 5 Banksia roses growing along the front of our house. Three are looking quite healthy and full, the other two look very spindly and thin. Apparently they have been there for years but the previous owner used to trim them right down to the ground each time they grew. Their base they are a real mess, so I am guessing this hasnt helped them. Does anyone know how to get them looking happy and healthy again pls?

[cherry*135]

My Mum used to prune the Banskia rose in our garden right down as well. It always grew back large, flowering & healthy.

There maybe some issue with the soil where the 2 aren't growing very well.

[cherry*135]

They shouldn't be pruned in winter like other roses.

"The yellow and white Banksia rose is an example of a once flowering climber, so if you cut it back in winter you will remove all the flowers that are to bloom in the spring, and the flowers will not come again until spring the following year! Cut once flowering roses back straight after they flower about December."
Rose Society of Victoria

[kabarine]

AM You  are correct re poor soil, the area does need to be built up but cant be done atm as the plan is to put new timber front steps there.  It prob needs to be removed and placed some less but I think that would take away the charm of them growing across the front porch, might have to just leave it and hope for the best until the front steps are built.

[nicnacs_4u]

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@kabarine wrote:

We have 5 Banksia roses growing along the front of our house. Three are looking quite healthy and full, the other two look very spindly and thin. Apparently they have been there for years but the previous owner used to trim them right down to the ground each time they grew. Their base they are a real mess, so I am guessing this hasnt helped them. Does anyone know how to get them looking happy and healthy again pls?

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Do   the spindly one`s get the same amount of light/sun as the other`s Kabarine?Maybe it might be better to get 2 new roses to replace them?just a thought..

[lloydslights]

Just caught up with this post.  A couple of questions.  Have you lived and witnessed the garden for a full 12  months?

You say that your roses: 3 are fine and 2 are spindly.  

Are they different varieties?  Are the weaker looking ones in any order across the front of the house?

As was mentioned, it could be the soil.  Has it changed since you moved in?  Any "works" by a builder/bricklayer/painter?

Has there been spraying for weeds or insect pests?

Answering some of these, may help to identify any problems.  But for the time being, I would leave them as is until the steps are finished.  Then reassess.

DEB 

[kabarine]

The house faces north so they all get the same amount of sunlight, although the one which is the worst is on a corner, so it prob cops more wind than the others.  We have only been here for a few months, so haven't seen them go trough a full season as yet. No incecticides, tradies anywhere near them.   This is a pic of the worst one, will also ;post a pic of a cpl of the others for a comparison

[kabarine]