question about moving a rose bush

I need some advice. I have a very large rose bush on the south side of the house. It is Madame Antoine Marie. When I got it, it was in a gallon pot. I didn't think it would get too big, kind of like my mom's roses back home, so I planted it about three-four feet from the side of the house. This way I could plant large things behind it. However, the rose bush has gotten to be a rather large, approximately 3'-4' mass. And unfortunately, since it is so far from the house, it looks rather odd. I tried growing morning glories behind it this past summer, which was ok, but it is growing out into the yard and I think annoying the mowers. Also it just looks funny out there like that. I was hoping to move it back some in Feb. Any thoughts on how best to do this? I was thinking prune it down, wrap it in a blanket, dig behind it and very wide around it, and try to loosen it and push it back. I really don't want to hurt it since it has done so well, and I am very much a rose newbie. Any ideas?

OK Dec to Jan are ok to do this, dig the hole, and lift the bush out of with all the siil you can. Trim back the branches to 1/3 current heights. Wrap in a wet blanket and move to the new hole, place in hole add root goodies - compost or what ever you add to your holes, and plant. Water in well and keep watered all this first year.

Thanks Mitch!

No problem - I moved about 30 roses last year to a school garden at my last school, and have moved several this year to my new school garden... guess I am somthing of an expert by now and have the scars to prove it ;-)

Make sure the roots are settled in and the rose is growing before adding any fertilizer. Bone meal at the time of planting is enough for good root development.

true - I only add compost but it is very gentle on roots.

I'm with Cocoa. Bone meal for the roses! I also add 1/4 cup mixed with compost 2X/year/established plant. 1/2 c for larger plants.