When is the best time to prune roses?

PRUNING roses help remove dead or diseased parts of the flower, which will keep the buds blooming and looking healthy.

But when should you prune roses – and what’s the best way to do it?

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When is the best time to prune roses?

The majority of rose pruning is best done in the spring, after the last frost.

Frosts are a good guide to rose pruning, as spring pruning should be done after the last frost and fall pruning before the first frost.

Roses are happiest and give the best results if you prune most of them when the plants are just starting to grow.

It is difficult to predict when this will happen, as it very much depends on your climate.

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To be precise, late winter or early spring, but this can vary from January to late May.

Maintenance pruning should be done at other times of the year.

For example, rose bushes keep their shape better and can even bloom again if you cut off dead flowers, which are known as wilted.

Then, in the fall, prepare your roses for winter by pruning any overly tall stems, removing stems that overhang other branches, and removing any dead or diseased branches.

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What do you need to prune roses?

People often recommend a tool called a pruning shears for pruning roses, as they have overlapping blades that help cut tough stems.

Glove-style sturdy gloves are required, as every rose actually has at least one thorn, and these mittens provide protection all the way to your elbows.

You should also cover the rest of your arm with long sleeves of fabric that’s tough enough to prevent spikes from piercing through.

Slippery clothing is a good idea – anything that a thorn can’t get into, or you’ll end up in the bushes.

How do I prune roses?

1. Watch out for the last frost.

2. Remove any leftover leaves – they will carry any leftover bugs with them.

3. Cut off dead branches right back to the base. You’ll know which branches are dead because they’ll turn brown soon after.

4. Remove any stems that grow on the tree.

5. Remove any stems that are thinner than the pencil.

6. Cut the remaining branches to your desired length. Remember to cut just above the nodule where the leaf meets or will meet the stem and at a 45-degree angle such that rainwater will fall off the bud.

In this final step, try to keep the shoots facing out so that your plant has clean lines and space in the center.