PRUNING ROSES
The task can be perplexing, daunting and leave you with the feeling you're sure you didn't do it right. This page is designed to help with this late winter/early spring task. The exception to the winter season rule is David Austen's which ideally will be pruned in late October, November and rambling roses which are pruned after they bloom in June. Discussion will cover hybrid teas, floribundas, shrub roses, standards, miniatures and climbers.
Pruning requires at least one pruning shears, a bottle of Lysol, a roll of paper towel, and a good 28 inch steel bypass lopper. If you have large climbers you may require a long reach extendable lopper and a step ladder. Add twine if you are training a climber or a rose in an obelisk, pergola or arch support. I personally do not care for twist ties as I feel they damage the cane in wind.
Good idea to add a trowel for weeding, and a good pair of gloves...rose gloves would be helpful for large shrub roses or heavily thorned bushes.
I highly recommend Felco pruners for any number of reasons. Yes, I know they are pricey. But weigh the pluses. A lifetime guarantee, various sizes to suit your hand, replaceable blades. And a RED handle (not the only color choice) if you lay it on the ground or amongst the canes and try to find it. However, do NOT lend it out or allow another family member to use. GONE. I literally keep mine in the bedstand or locked in the glove compartment. Forwarned.
Also, do not use alcohol on the blades to sterilize blades between bushes for disease prevention. Lysol is conventient, will not damage the blades, nor stain your clothes as a 10% bleach solution.
General Rules for Pruning Roses
Know type of rose and when to prune and how to prune it.
Remove dead and diseased canes.
Remove any diamater stem less than a pencil in diameter.
Remove crossing stems which will rub and damage the rose.
Open up the interior of the rose so rose is shaped like a goblet, allowing air circulation.
Remove dead growth at the end of cane or stem.
When cutting the stem or cane, be sure to cut 1/4 inch above an outward facing bud at a 45 degree angle. See diagram above.
Follow guidelines below for pruning types of roses.
Clean up area around rose, removing cut canes and stems and any leaves. Dispose of in the garbage or burn. Do not compost.
Clean blades of pruners with Lysol and paper towel between roses which will control transfer of disease from rose to rose.
When to Prune Roses
Here is a general rule of thumb:
Rambling roses such as Lady Banks. Bloom on old wood. So do not prune in late winter or early spring. Prune after blooming in June.
Climbing roses are pruned in winter between December and February.
Shrub roses bloom on old wood, so a light pruning in the spring is all that is necessary.
Floribundas and teas are pruned in late winter, early spring.
David Austin rose pruning can be done in fall....October November or late winter early spring.
Pruning Standard Roses
In early spring, you want to prune to shape the head, removing dead or crossing branches to encourage a compact, blooming head. A well pruned standard rose blooms vibrantly and maintains its elegant shape. Aim to keep roughly four to six well-placed main branches that form the desired shape. Remove suckers growing from below the graft. Thin out weak growth to direct energy to stronger stems. Cut out dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Shape the plant to maintain its standard form. Make clean cuts at a 45-degree angle above outward-facing buds. Clean up debris and any diseased leaves or branches. Do not place in compost pile as an diseased material will transfer to other plants. Incinerate or put in garbage.
I have included below several videos showing the technique.
Facebook Petrit Tahiri pruning standard roses.
Matthews Nurseries Ltd on Facebook
David Austin site: growing and pruning standard roses
Pruning Shrub Roses
Prune roses in late winter or early spring. In southwestern Oregon we usually get a warm spell in January or February. In colder climates, when the forsythia bloom is a good indicator. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing canes, focusing on opening the center for airflow. Emphasize cutting canes back by 1/3 to 1/2 of their height. Make 45-degree cuts above outward-facing buds to encourage a vase shape and vigorous new growth.
David Austin reel on pruning shrubs
Chart showng when to prune by growing zone
Remove the dead, the dying, diseased and crossing branches. Important is to choose main canes to train horizontally to produce more blooms. You prune to improve shape, blooming, prevent disease and improve growth. Train to a structure using flexy ties or twine.