There seems to be a certain mystique surrounding the pruning of roses. It is approached as some sort of divine ritual and can be extremely intimidating to inexperienced growers. In fact, there are very few hard and fast rules when it comes to pruning roses - the type of rose and personal preference are the main deciding factors.
A few general guidelines:
- Young roses are best left unpruned for their first three years (remove only dead/damaged wood) in order to assess their natural shape and growth habits
- Use sharp pruning shears - bypass pruners are best
- Use sharp loppers for removing thick canes
- Remove any wood that crosses through the center and/or rubs against other canes
- When in doubt, go easy - you can always cut more later
- Cut to a growth eye that faces in the direction you want new growth
- Avoid leaving long stubs above growth eyes, as they tend to die back and look yucky (approx/ 1/4" above is ideal)
- Wear gloves - roses don't thank us at pruning time. In fact, they tend to bite back!
- Don't worry, it will grow back!
Pruning Old Garden Roses
Old Garden Roses don't require the stringent and careful pruning that is needed by many modern sorts - in fact, they can sulk and refuse to bloom if pruned too hard. Just a light touch of sharp pruning shears is all that is needed for them to respond beautifully. Some large rose gardens are, in fact, pruned with hedge clippers!
A good rule of thumb is to remove all dead or diseased canes and clip back no more than 1/3 of the remaining bush to encourage full foliage and heavy bloom without destroying the vigor and natural attractive form of the plant.
When a rose bush is cut back it responds by putting on a spurt of growth. This tender new growth can get frost or heat-burned, so you may want to avoid mid-summer and late fall pruning in more severe climates.
Everblooming varieties can be lightly trimmed several times a year since they flower on new growth.
Roses that bloom but once annually are best pruned right after they have bloomed. Their flowers come from wood that has hardened over a winter, so early spring pruning will reduce their display. Spring pruning is best limited to removing only dead/damaged wood and perhaps thinning overcrowded bushes. Early spring is a good time to dig any errant suckers - they are easier to see before the plants leaf out and can be replanted or potted up safely while dormant.
Rose hedges can be shaped easily with hedge shears.
Roses in a natural or wild setting can be left completely alone unless a hard winter produces some unsightly dead canes.
If left unpruned, many varieties of old roses will produce attractive hips to brighten the winter garden.
Pruning Modern Roses
Most shrub roses (hybrid musks, polyanthas, English Roses) are best pruned lightly, in the manner of Old Garden Roses.
Hybrid Teas will produce more, but smaller, flowers if pruned lightly. Fewer but larger flowers will be produced if the plants are cut back hard each spring. Personally, I prune lightly and only cut back hard every three years or so if the plant becomes leggy.
Floribundas are generally pruned lightly. I give mine a "hybrid tea haircut" (hard pruning) every three years or so if the plant becomes ungainly.
Pruning Climbers & Ramblers
Climbing roses require somewhat more careful pruning than bush roses. I tend to take a somewhat cautious approach, as many varieties bloom on old wood and may take a while to bloom well after a hard pruning.
General Guidelines:
Assess the plant. Consider taking a photo and "prune" on paper first (WhiteOut is good), removing older canes and shortening branches to fit your space. Wear long gloves and body armor when tackling really rampant climbers - they fight back!
Climbers
Main canes:
- If it's old and less productive, remove it to make room for new growth.
- Train new canes into position
Main laterals:
- Remove anything redundant, unproductive or growing in a funky direction
- Train desired growth onto support
Blooming laterals:
- Cut back to sturdy wood that can support the new blooms
Ramblers
Ramblers generally bloom on the previous year's growth, so take care when pruning or you may rob yourself of flowers.
- Whenever possible, prune after blooming
- Remove old, unproductive canes to make room for new canes.
- Train new canes into position
- Cut off any bits that are menacing to passers-by
Don't be intimidated by these thorny monsters! Show them who's boss and remember - it'll grow back!
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