Caring for roses takes more than just water and sunlight. Most species of rose plants grow better and maintain their health when trimmed, or pruned, on a regular basis. While pruning times may differ from region to region, experts agree that pruning should be done in the early spring. Allowing roses to grow without trimming them will result in weak and brittle branches, misshapen growth patterns and decreased flowering. Use these tips for trimming your roses to help keep them healthy and productive.
Method 1 of 3: Trim Rose Plants Before Planting
Method 2 of 3: Prune Rose Plants
1Remove dead wood. Cut off any dead wood using anvil pruners. Cut at a 45-degree angle, 1 inch (2.54 cm) below the brown, dead area. Cut areas with green on the ends at about 1 inch (2.54 cm) above the dried, dead area.
2Trim any broken, diseased or injured branches of the rose bush with bypass pruners.
3Remove off any branches that cut through the center of the plant, or that are rubbing on other branches. Make cuts with bypass pruners until you see the white insides of the branch.
4Cut to improve the shape of the plant. Remove any branches that are tangled or impeding air movement through the bush. Make cuts at a clean, 45-degree angle with bypass pruners.
5Remove weak bottom growth. Trim any bottom growth that is sticking from the lower half of the bush using anvil pruners.
6Cut off any top growth. Use anvil pruners to remove stray new growth that may make the bush top heavy.
Method 3 of 3: Deadhead the Roses
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- Always try to cut at 45-degree angles and make all cuts clean.
- Use bypass pruners for dead or dried branches. Use anvil pruners on younger, green branches. For large bushes with hard-to-reach areas, use long-handled shears.
- Deadhead once a week during the rose bush's peak blooming period.
Things You'll Need
- Bypass pruners
- Anvil pruners
- Long-handled pruning shears
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