Learning how to prune roses can seem like a daunting landscaping task, but with the right knowledge and techniques, it can be a rewarding endeavor that will improve the health and beauty of your garden. When you know when to prune roses and the best tools for the job, you no longer have to fear prickly thorns or difficult-looking care.
For this guide, we asked Nita-Jo Rountree, Seattle-based garden designer and author of Growing Roses in the Pacific Northwest, for her expert insight on how to prune roses. Following these tips will help you grow healthier, more vibrant roses that bloom all season long.
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Why you need to prune roses
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Pruning is not just for shaping roses. It is also essential to keep your plants healthy and blooming well. Prune your roses as much as you can.
“Pruning won't harm your roses!” says Rowntree. “In fact, not pruning can harm them.” She explains that diseases that live in rose stems and leaves can survive the winter. “By cutting off part of the stem and removing any remaining leaves, you can eliminate any disease that may spread to healthy shoots,” says Rowntree.
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When to prune roses
Single-flowering rose varieties should be pruned immediately after flowering in early summer. For most other rose varieties, the best time to prune is in late winter to early spring, just after the last frost.
“If you're not growing roses for exhibition, you don't need to be too particular about how you prune them,” says Rowntree, who offers some guidelines for when and how to prune:
Early pruning (December): First cut roses back to a manageable height to prevent wind damage. Remove fallen debris and keep the garden clean. Late winter (February): Cut roses back further to knee height. Remove dead, diseased or damaged branches (D) and cut back crossing branches to improve ventilation and prevent disease. Expert technique (after fall pruning): For hybrid teas and floribundas, make a 45-degree cut just above an outward-facing leaf node. Remove branches smaller than a pencil and any remaining leaves to encourage new growth.
Plan your pruning accordingly, keeping an eye on local weather forecasts to avoid cold snaps and damage to your plants. If frost returns after pruning, check your plants carefully and prune them for any cold damage.
How often should roses be pruned?
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Roses should be pruned at least once a year. Major pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, focusing on removing dead, diseased or damaged branches. Throughout the growing season, regularly pinching off dead flowers will enhance aesthetics and encourage continued flowering.
“This is one of my favorite gardening tasks – you get to get an up close and personal look for any pest or disease problems and nip them in the bud, as well as admire and smell the beautiful new flowers,” says Rowntree. “Plus, removing the dead flowers makes the roses look so much better, so it's instant gratification.”
To remove dead blossoms, cut at a 45-degree angle just above the next leaf; Rowntree notes that some experts recommend cutting back to the next four leaves. “Be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches,” she says.
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An essential tool for pruning roses
Here's what you need to prune roses:
“Anvil shears will crush the stems, so it's important to use bypass shears or loppers,” says Rountree. Clean cuts are essential for fast healing and disease prevention.
Another tip is to disinfect your pruning tools between prunings to prevent the spread of disease. A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol will ensure clean, healthy pruning.
How to prune climbing roses
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Different types of roses require special pruning techniques: Repeat-flowering climbing roses are pruned quite differently than hybrid teas or floribundas, says Rowntree.
“Climbing rose vines are usually trained horizontally with side branches growing vertically from the main stem, which are where the flowers grow. Side branches are cut two buds above the main stem. Older main branches that no longer flower should be cut back to the ground. Be sure to remove the three Ds and any remaining leaves in late winter or early spring,” she says.
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What to do after pruning roses
After pruning, focus on watering and fertilizing to prepare the plant for the next growth cycle.
Watering: Established roses need at least an inch of water per week, and newly planted roses should be watered more frequently, says Rowntree. Water the entire flower bed to encourage roots to grow and spread. Fertilizing: Fertilize again after six weeks. Note that organic fertilizers should be used more frequently than synthetic fertilizers. Follow the instructions that come with your fertilizer. Don't fertilize after the end of July to avoid promoting new growth in late fall.
Frequently asked questions about pruning
What is the difference between pruning young and mature roses?
Newly planted roses may benefit from more severe pruning to encourage vigorous growth, but mature roses with thick, woody branches may require a pruning saw to make a clean cut.
How can I make my roses bloom more?
Regular deadheading not only keeps the plant looking nice, it also stimulates the plant to produce new flowers – if you want rose hips or seeds, Rowntree recommends stopping deadheading after the first blooms.
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Nita Jo Rountree is a landscape architect, author and educator. She is a past Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bellevue Botanical Garden Association, a member of the Heronswood Gardens Steering Committee and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Northwest Horticultural Society, where she is past Chair. Nita Jo is a frequent speaker at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and has served as a judge for “The Best Use of Color”. Her book, “Growing Roses in the Pacific Northwest”, is published by Sasquatch Books.
