A Guide to Pruning Roses

It's that time of year again! March is the time to prune your roses. Pruning roses leads to larger flowers, longer stems (important if you enjoy cutting your roses to enjoy in arrangements!) and all around better looking bushes. Here are a few rules that will have you pruning your roses like a pro in no time!

Rule #1: All roses need to be pruned. This is a must if you want healthy plants and lots of flowers. Unpruned bushes quickly become overgrown and messy looking.

Rule #2: Always use the proper tools for the job. Hand shears are good for cutting canes up to 1/2 inch in diameter. For larger stems, use two-handed ones or a small handsaw. Be sure to store your pruning tools away from temperature extremes and moisture to prevent rust and cracked handles. Also be sure to make sure your tools are sharp. Dull blades damage canes, which can lead to disease. A pair of gloves to protect against thorns is also a must.

Rule #3: Don't do any heavy pruning on own-root roses until they have become established, usually after two to three years. Grafted roses can be pruned after the first growing season.

Rule #4: Angle your cuts at a 45-degree angle, about 1/4 inch above a strong, outward-facing bud. This will keep new stems from growing into the center of the plant, leading to a fuller, more compact, and more attractive bush. It also opens up the bush to more air and sunlight. Good air circulation is crucial for disease prevention.

Rule #5: For most roses, pruning should take place in the spring before new growth begins. (The exception to this rule is for roses that bloom on old wood, like many climbers and once-flowering roses.) Start by removing any dead canes and stems on live canes. Next, cut away any weak, spindly growth and any stems that will eventually cause crowding.

Rule #6: How much you need to prune depends on the cultivar. Hybrid teas need more severe pruning while old garden roses need only light pruning. Don't forget to remove spent blooms from your roses during the growing season.. Too many spent blooms not only look unattractive, but regular deadheading will promote greater flower production. If you want some rosehips, either for herbal purposes or to get seeds, leave a few spent blooms, but only a few, but it can invite disease if the weather humid.

Here are some pruning tips for specific varieties:

Hybrid Teas- These types of roses are easiest to prune by the size of the canes. Use your fingers as a guide:

For canes the width of your little finger, trim back to about 4 to 8 inches from the graft.

For forefinger width, 8 to 12 inches.

For thumb width, 2 feet or less.

Floribunda- These are very easy to prune. Just cut all the canes back about 12 to 15 inches from the graft. If the bush has a lot of canes, thin it out to allow for better air circulation.

Climbing Roses- The key here is balance. You want about 4-6 canes, spread evenly on each side. Prune out any others, making sure the ones you keep are the young green ones. The only other pruning you want to do is on the growing tips. Trim them back just enough to be even with the support they are on.

Miniature Roses- These are the easiest of all to prune. Just cut back about a quarter of the old growth and shape attractively.

Armed with these tips and rules, you should be able to prune like a pro, and enjoy beautiful and healthy roses all season long!