How to prune roses

You will need

Rose bush
Secateurs

Do it: autumn or spring

Takes just: 20 minutes

Project categories

Overview

Pruning roses keeps them in shape and encourages more flower growth and healthier plants. Cut weak shoots right back to promote stronger growth from the base.

How to do it

1Remove dead shoots and the tips of stems showing signs of die back.

2Look for crossing and badly placed branches and cut them out to form a good shape.

3Cut the stems of hybrid tea roses to half their length. Floribunda roses can be cut back further. Cut just above a bud pointing in the direction you want the new growth.

Adam's tip

Avoid spreading disease by always making sure your secateurs are clean and sharp.

Always try to prune when the rose is dormant - after autumn leaf fall and before the buds break in spring.

Discuss this project

Talkback: How to prune roses

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Anni Cariad 24/02/2012 at 18:36

Help! My roses are still in bloom, it's been so mild and they are under a glass roofed porch. Do I still prune, or should I hang fire until they stop blooming?

Thank you,

Anni.

Kevin Eastment 12/03/2012 at 13:24

I Have got 6 rose plnts comming (bear root)
I want to plant them in pots what do i buy to plant them (compost or somthing eles)

malcolm mill 26/05/2012 at 18:00

HELP

I have a patio / carpet rose, flowering carpet series - pink princess.

it grows wonderfully and still flowers at christmas.... it has grown BIG... 4ft tall and 6ft across.

we've just had a tree felled and it broke a lot of the rose... HOW can I prune it to reduce its size drastically.... its the end of may 2012.

Alina W 26/05/2012 at 18:06

Wait until its first flush of flowers is over, about July. Then prune it back to 6" below whatever height you want, always pruning to an outward-facing bud. You will inevitably lose some flowers, but it will soon produce more.

karenfletcher 12/06/2012 at 08:00

My climbing rose lost a lot this winter but survived. However, now I see some branches are dying back. Should I cut them right back to stop it going even further? It's just starting to bloom on other branches, so it's not a good time to prune... thanks for any advice.
Karen

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