Most commercial roses are grafted. That means there are a rootstock and a scion to every plant. The rootstock is usually a rose that is very vigorous. Sometimes the rootstock will send up shoots from the base of the plant. These shoots are the “suckers” and they should be pruned off. The new shoots that are being produced in the upper part (scion) of your rose should be trained and trimmed as you wish to produce the physical shape and appearance you desire in your climbing rose. To remove suckers from the rootstock, it may be necessary to dig some soil away from the base of the plant to expose the base of the suckers. Cut the suckers off cleanly and as close to the rootstock trunk as possible.
