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 task. The exception to the season rule is David Austen's which ideally will be pruned in late October, November. 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.
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.
I have included below several videos showing the technique.
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.