Prune Roses in the New Year for Better Blooms in Spring

So, you’ve moved into a new house where the previous owner had planted roses–lucky you! There’s nothing like a summertime display of colorful and fragrant roses. Today’s modern hybrids are easy to grow and care for too; regular watering and feeding will keep these plants happy all season long.

When winter comes, it’s time to make sure that rose bushes get a rest, so they can come back strong in spring. This means pruning–and while many gardeners think this is a complicated and mysterious process, it really isn’t. Here are some guidelines that will help novice rosarians prune like the pros.

Why Pruning is Important

Most modern rose varieties are bred to bloom only on “new wood.” In other words, stems (called canes) from last summer won’t produce flowers–only newly grown canes will bud and bloom. Cutting back the old canes benefits a rose bush in several ways, by:

• Allowing the bush to rest during the cold winter months
• Encouraging new growth of healthy, strong new canes
• Removing dead wood and weak canes
• Shaping the bush for optimal air circulation and balanced appearance

With One Bush or One Hundred–It’s Easy to Get Started

Whether you have one rose in a container on your patio or a yard planted with dozens of varieties, the process is the same. The accompanying photos illustrate the steps below.

1. Remove the leaves and any remaining flowers. This lets you see the shape of the bush clearly, so you can decide how much to cut back.
2. Cut out any diseased or dead wood, using clean, sharp pruning clippers. This ensures that canes won’t die back, and will prevent old wood from becoming rotten. Also cut away any canes that cross over each other, or those that grow downwards or into the center of the bush.
3. Look for a healthy bud at the base of a leaf, ideally on an outward-facing side of the cane; cutting above such a bud will encourage the new cane to grow in the right direction.
4. Make a diagonal cut about 1/4 inch above the bud. Do not cut too close or the bud will be damaged, and don’t cut too far away or the wood will die back. A flat cut is also a no-no–this can allow rain or moisture to sit on the cut, encouraging rot.
5. Most bushes do not need heavy pruning–mainly just shaping and removal of weak stems. In general, reducing the height of the bush by 1/3 to 1/2 will be sufficient–though bushes that have been neglected or are weak may require a “hard prune” that removes more.

Tips for Success

Even if you have never touched a pair of pruning shears before, don’t be nervous. Roses are hardy, and it’s difficult to make a mistake that will result in permanent damage. If you are worried about cutting too much, don’t be! As long as you look for a healthy bud and make a clean cut, new growth will result. Here are a few more tips to ensure your success:

• Always use sharp tools; this prevents broken or crushed canes, and ensures a clean cut
• If you are cutting away diseased wood, wipe the clippers with a cloth dampened with a bleach and water solution before cutting another cane, to prevent spreading
• Remove leaves and other plant litter from around the bushes to reduce the risk of mold or mildew, and so bugs and snails don’t have a place to hide
• Protect pruned bushes from frost and snow by covering with straw or mulch; in milder climates pruning can begin right after the new year
• During the growing season, cutting off spent flowers (deadheading), shaping, and feeding your roses will ensure a continuous colorful display

There is a wealth of information about rose pruning online and in your community! Check with local nurseries to see if they give workshops or demonstrations on pruning–you’ll get guidance designed for your climate. Many expert rosarians share their knowledge on sites like YouTube, and companies such as David Austen Roses also provide care tips for all the varieties available. Good luck!