Pruning Roses


Pruning roses need not be a difficult gardening task, the purpose of pruning is to get the best out of each individual rose plant. Pruning will make the rose plant healthy and this will help it to produce knockout flowers. To start pruning a sharp pair of secateurs are required. When cutting the plant make sure the cuts are at a sloping angle and that the cuts are above an outward bud. Cutting the branches like this will stop water from rotting the bud. An outward bud is one that is pointing away from the centre of the rose plant. When pruning has been completed mulch the plants with rotted manure. Follow the steps below depending on which type of rose plant, shrub, climber, bush, or ramblers that are growing in the garden.

Pruning Shrub Roses

This is usually carried out in early spring. If the plant is young then there may be no need to prune, however as time passes pruning will be required if the plant is to produce it's best. Before pruning shrub roses remove the unhealthy branches. If the shrub rose plant is overcrowded than thin it out. If there are branches that cross then remove these. The healthy stems can be cut back. Dead head the flowers when they have faded, this will help to promote new growth. The Penelope shrub rose picture shows a nice healthy flower.



Pruning Bush Roses

How to prune rose bushesHybrid Tea and Floribunda are referred to as Bush roses. Early spring is about the time to prune these plants. If the plant is young then there may be no need to prune, however as time passes pruning will be required if the plant is to produce it's best. Before pruning bush roses remove the unhealthy branches. Cut the majority of the branches back by half. Dead head the flowers when they have faded, this will help to promote new growth. The Elina bush rose picture shows a nice healthy flower.



Pruning Rambler Roses

These roses need to be pruned every year to keep them nice and tidy. The time to prune these plants is late summer after flowering. After they have flowered, cut the flowered stems to near ground level. Ramblers can be rejuvenated by cutting back the old stems to base level. The Albertine rambler rose picture shows a knockout pink tinted rose.




Pruning Climbing Roses

Pruning climbing rosesClimbing roses are pruned in the autumn once the flowers have faded. The deadwood should be removed, if the plant has many old branches remove these, this will help to encourage new growth. If branches are growing out of the climbing frame then cut back, leaving about three buds to provide new growth. The rose picture is of a New Dawn climbing pink rose.







Pruning summary
Pruning Roses - When to Prune Roses - How to Prune Roses - Rose Gardening