Bypass shears are ideal for pruning roses β their overlapping blades make a clean cut. Photo by: Fotoschab Dreamstime. When you know the basics of pruning roses, even inexperienced gardeners can achieve beautiful results.
But for the casual gardener who simply wants beautiful, healthy rose bushes, there are really only a few fundamentals to follow. The best time to prune roses is in late winter or early spring, around the time new growth begins. This could be as early as January or as late as May, depending on your climate. If you'd like to mark your calendar, or set yourself a pruning reminder, here are regional estimates:.
Major pruning should be done in early spring, after the last frost in colder climates, by following the 8 Basic Pruning Steps below. Dead flowers can be cut back at any time in summer. Carl Bennett, longtime Rose Breeding Manager of David Austin Roses, says that during the flowering season, deadheading will encourage more blooms and maintain an attractive shrub. After the first killing frost, trim longer stems to keep them from snapping in winter storms.
Keep rose bushes from being top heavy to protect them from being uprooted in strong winds. Crossing branches that could be damaged by rubbing together should also be trimmed back. Take it easy though, as too much pruning can stimulate growth, and that new growth may be damaged by freezing weather.
Remove any dead or diseased branches and foliage, and clean your cutting tools well to prevent transferring disease to another plant. When pruning roses, your goal should be to open up the center and create a vase-like shape. Follow these steps to ensure your roses will thrive:. This allows you to see the structure of the bush and clearly see all the canes stems. This step also removes any pests or diseases that may have been hiding over winter in the foliage.
