Completely remove dead and diseased canes. Dead canes will be brown, dry and brittle. Diseased canes may look similar or with wilted, dry or spotted leaves. Insects and webs may also be a sign of disease. Mildew can be another culprit.
Look for tangled centers and crisscrossed canes. Thin the canes in the center of your rose bush, creating air flow. Canes that cross over each other should be removed. Prune away the smaller ones that cross or rub against the larger canes.
Roses that have not been pruned for a while may be too tall, misshapen, top-heavy, and have faded or dry rose blooms. Prune out weak and tall canes, cutting back to about one third of their length, and trim past-their-prime blooms.
Deadheading, or the removal of faded blooms, can be done day to day and throughout the summer. Remove the old bloom by pruning just above an outward facing bud and above a five-leaf leaflet.