What do I do with a bush that would rather grow suckers than support the legitimate rose? It used to be a very robust plant. Now it is almost dead.

Are the suckers the same rose or are they from the root stock?

They are from root stock.

I'm facing the same problem with one of my roses right now, Kelli. A huge Sally Holmes had to be moved a couple of years ago because of septic work. It apparently doesn't like the new location and started sending up suckers this year. Today I'm going to see how easily the suckers can be detached before the process starts to weaken Sally any further. Sally is down to only three or four canes of its own and now has four healthy suckers waving in the breeze. Today I'll dig down to pull the suckers off Sally and dig all around the rose to make sure the bud union is well above the ground. The person who moved Sally may have planted the rose too deep. In my garden I usually have no suckers as long as I keep the bud union at least 2 inches above the ground.

Bumping this thread to ask a new question. I have a new rose bush (zephirine drouhin) planted last fall. it is own-root. It has settled in well, but it has sent up what looks like a sucker (more vigorous than the rest of the bush, from below ground level). Is this possible on an own-root plant? And should I remove it? Thanks for any advice!

Definitely possible. If, for some reason, you want a "single" plant remove it. If you don't mind a small thicket leave it. Many old roses grow as yours seems to be.

Being a climber, and a newly planted rose, I'd recommend allowing the sucker (or quite possibly just new basal growth) to grow. I often see more vigorous basal growth on new own root roses. I see this as a good sign, that the plant has developed a healthy root system and ready to produce some mature growth.

Thank you both! I'm happy to let it grow--it looks so strong, I'd hate to cut it.

First flower is getting ready to open, and I can't wait!