How and When to Prune Your Roses

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Robert J. Dolezal

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With the right pruning, your roses will continue to bloom beautifully – and repeatedly.

Since roses store the bulk of their energy in their thorny canes, you should avoid heavy pruning at any time – but especially before winter snows bring an end to the gardening season. When it’s time to prune, cut back lightly to eliminate any dead, diseased or dying canes. Also use this time to shape your plants or to prompt new and vigorous growth.

There are two general classes of pruning – annual and seasonal – used with most repeat bloomers. (Note: Roses that bloom just once a year – non-remontant roses – require one-time pruning, done after their flowers fade.)

The goal of annual pruning is to shape plants as they emerge from winter dormancy, so don’t prune until early spring (or in fall after the plant loses its leaves in mild-winter climates). And wait to prune climbers and annual blooming roses after their spring or early summer bloom, removing only lateral canes with spent blossoms. For repeat-blooming hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, most polyantha roses and miniatures, follow the steps shown in this first set of pictures and described in their captions. Chip and compost only the healthy clippings – throw away any diseased leaves and branches.

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Annual Pruning, Step 1: Annual pruning should be done when roses are dormant. In cold-winter climates, prune in early spring, always before spring growth begins. In mild-winter climates, prune in fall once the rose loses its leaves. Using clean pruners, remove all dead canes and any less than 3⁄8 of an inch in diameter.

Facts

Hybrid tea roses bloom several times during the garden season, creating waves of flowers termed “flushes.” Each flush reaches its peak, then subsides. It’s important to deadhead old blossoms in order to spur the plant to bud anew and bloom again a few weeks later.
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Climber, pillar and rambler roses bear their blooms on lateral branches that sprout from the main cane in the second season of growth. Pruning away all the laterals with spent blossoms soon after they fade will keep the plants vigorous and their blooms large.
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Tips

Dipping pruning shears and saws in rubbing alcohol or a bleach-and-water solution between cuts helps prevent spreading diseases from plant to plant.
When you’ve finished pruning, rinse off your cutting tools and wipe them down. Allow them to air-dry completely, then spray them with a water-displacing oil like WD-40®. Prompt care of your tools means they’ll stay sharp and useful for several seasons.

Faqs

Q: How do I prune my standard “tree” rose?
A: Prune tree roses annually by selecting their strongest canes and creating an inverted-bowl shape. New laterals will sprout in spring, creating an attractive ball-shaped head. Also cut off any suckers from the trunk.

Tools

The three essential pruning tools for roses are bypass hand pruners, lopping shears and a compact pruning saw. Always use sharp, clean tools when pruning.

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Next Steps

Articles

Pruning Non-Remontant Roses
Roses that flower only once a year need special pruning to keep them healthy and bloomin’ strong. Follow this easy step-by-step guide to caring for your non-remontant roses – including some climbers, pillars and ramblers – to keep up that good growth and showy flower display.
Cut to the Chase (A Quick Look at Pruning Tools)
Pruning is an important part of maintaining plant health, but it’s important you have the right tool for the job if you want to make the cut.
The Care and Coddling of Roses
Roses are special plants that need special care. Here are some tips on how to keep your bloomin’ beauties healthy – especially through the cold season.

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