Video:How to Prune Rose Bushes

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Transcript:How to Prune Rose Bushes

Pruning rose bushes is intimidating to many gardeners, but actually very good for the plants. Becoming an accomplished rose pruner takes time and practice, but remember that it is very hard to kill a rose with bad pruning. It is generally agreed that it is better to make a good effort at pruning roses than to let them grow rampant.

Why Prune Roses?

Roses need to be pruned in order to:

• Encourage new growth and bloom
• Remove dead wood
• Improve air circulation
• Shape the plant

Supplies Needed to Prune Roses

The tools you'll need are:

• By-pass Pruners
• Long-handled Loppers
• Thick Gloves (preferably long ones)

Prune the Roses

The basic rules to keep in mind are use clean, sharp tools. Begin pruning from the base of the plant, to open the center to light and air circulation. Make your cuts at a 45-degree angle, about 1/4 inch above a bud that is facing toward the outside of the plant. Make sure it is a clean cut (not ragged).

Remove all broken, dead, dying or diseased wood and cut until the inside of the cane is white. Remove any weak or twiggy branches thinner than a pencil.

If cane borers are a problem in your area, seal the cut with a white glue, such as Elmer's. Remove sucker growth below the graft. Remove any remaining foliage Most rose pruning is done in the spring, with the blooming of the forsythia as a signal to get moving.

Pruning Tips by Rose Classification

Here are some general pruning guidelines by rose classification:

Modern Ever-Blooming Roses & Floribunda: These bloom best on the current season's growth. Prune hard (1/2 to 2/3 the plant's height) in the spring and remove old woody stems. Leave 3-5 healthy canes evenly spaced around the plant.

Hybrid Teas & Grandiflora: These also bloom on new wood and should be pruned in early spring. Create an open vase shape with the remaining canes by removing the center stems and any branches crossing inwards.

Ramblers: Prune to remove winter damage and dead wood. Ramblers bloom only once and can be pruned right after flowering.

Modern Shrub Roses: This group is repeat bloomers, blooming on mature, but not old, woody stems. Leave them unpruned to increase vigor for the first 2 years and then each year remove one-third of the oldest canes.

Climbers: Climbers may repeat bloom. Prune early to remove winter damage and dead wood. Prune after flowering to shape and keep their size in check.

Bourbons and Portlands: These will repeat bloom, blooming on both new and old wood. Prune to remove dead wood before flowering.

The roses that need minimal pruning are Alba Centifolia, Damasks, Gallica, Mosses and Miniature Roses.

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