Basics of Pruning Roses

Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded task. Follow these tips and make rose pruning an easy gardening job.

  • Prune from the ground up. Most people start at the top and this can harm the rose and it uses your valuable time.

    Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded task. Follow these tips and make rose pruning an easy gardening job.

  • Prune from the ground up. Most people start at the top and this can harm the rose and it uses your valuable time.

  • If it is old, gray and scraggly looking, cut it off.

  • If there are canes that are growing directly over the center, use your pruning saw or loppers and cut flush with the cane. Also remove any canes that are really crowding each other. Now you are ready to continue pruning.

  • When it comes to height remember this: mentally divide the cane into three equal parts and get ready to remove the top one-third. First, however check on the outward facing bud. It should be located at the intersection of the cane and a leaflet of five. There should be several and if possible find one that faces out.

  • If you have doubts, cut it off. If it is smaller than a pencil it will only produce even smaller stems. For the larger canes be sure to seal with a drop of plain white glue like Elmer's. This will prevent the borers from eating your plants.

  • Get rid of all remaining leaves. This will allow for new leaf growth and prevent fungus infections from the old ones.

  • The next step in pruning your roses is to take a wire brush and scrub off the woody material on the bud union. Be careful to avoid brushing off any new bud eyes. This is also supposed to stimulate and provide room for new canes from the bud union.

  • Finally, finish your rose pruning by cleaning up all the dead stuff you've cut away. Get rid of all the old petals and pull the weeds from around the rose bush. This will help to eliminate fungus and insect problems. Finish up by placing new mulch around the rose bushes.

    • There you have it! Pruning your roses in 8 easy steps!

  • If it is old, gray and scraggly looking, cut it off.

  • If there are canes that are growing directly over the center, use your pruning saw or loppers and cut flush with the cane. Also remove any canes that are really crowding each other. Now you are ready to continue pruning.

  • When it comes to height remember this: mentally divide the cane into three equal parts and get ready to remove the top one-third. First, however check on the outward facing bud. It should be located at the intersection of the cane and a leaflet of five. There should be several and if possible find one that faces out.

  • If you have doubts, cut it off. If it is smaller than a pencil it will only produce even smaller stems. For the larger canes be sure to seal with a drop of plain white glue like Elmer's. This will prevent the borers from eating your plants.

  • Get rid of all remaining leaves. This will allow for new leaf growth and prevent fungus infections from the old ones.

  • The next step in pruning your roses is to take a wire brush and scrub off the woody material on the bud union. Be careful to avoid brushing off any new bud eyes. This is also supposed to stimulate and provide room for new canes from the bud union.

  • Finally, finish your rose pruning by cleaning up all the dead stuff you've cut away. Get rid of all the old petals and pull the weeds from around the rose bush. This will help to eliminate fungus and insect problems. Finish up by placing new mulch around the rose bushes.

    • There you have it! Pruning your roses in 8 easy steps!

    Ken Austin
    Roses and Rose Gardening
    Online Discount Shopping Guide

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Metal Garden Furniture

    Since Victorian times metal garden furniture has become a popular... Read More

    Moss on Lawns

    Just about right now, we start to see moss on... Read More

    Outdoor Living Cleanses The Mind, Body, and Spirit

    Through the use of various mediums pertaining to the outdoors,... Read More

    Growing Your Own Herbs for Tea

    If you love herbal teas, as I do, you know... Read More

    Using Push Reel Mowers

    If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if... Read More

    Selecting Outdoor Benches

    Outdoor benches are an excellent way to enhance a garden,... Read More

    Pruning Roses Secrets

    Pruning your roses is one of the most needed and... Read More

    5 Things To Consider Before Purchasing a Push Reel Mower

    Push Reel Mowers are making a "comeback" of sorts, though,... Read More

    Viburnum

    Viburnums are related to the honeysuckles, so it should come... Read More

    Spurce Up Your Garden With Decorative Birdhouses

    Decorative Birdhouses are active garden ornamentation --the presence and movement... Read More

    September Gardening Tips

    Well it is now September, and the mornings are great... Read More

    Wildlife Gardener

    Gardening for wildlife has become quite a passion for me,... Read More

    Orchid Myths -The Truth

    Here are some of the popular orchid myths#1 Orchids are... Read More

    About Window Ledge Gardening

    The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges... Read More

    Bare Root Roses, What To Look For When Buying

    The first thing to look for is the plant's grade.... Read More

    The Heralded Teak Furniture Manufacturer: Kingsley-Bate

    With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has... Read More

    Light Up Your Garden And Brighten Your Life

    Extending Your Living SpaceThe garden is fast being considered to... Read More

    Fake Grass

    The history of artificial or fake grass is to say... Read More

    Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (part 4) Environment

    THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.The Success or Failure of Your Plants... Read More

    The Incredible Daylily

    Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More

    Grow Herbs in your Garden for Pleasure and Profit

    Herbs can add a touch of magic to your garden... Read More

    Ten Considerations Before You Buy A Bird House

    When you decide to buy one bird house or more... Read More

    Colour in the Garden

    Colour affects our emotions, moods, physical, and spiritual well-being. It... Read More

    Edible Flowers in Your Garden

    Flowers can be an integral part of cooking. While most... Read More

    Hills and Holes: Not Part of Your Landscaping Design?

    Do pests 'gopher' your lawn? Chances are, if you have... Read More

    Wildflower Seeds - Ten Reasons Why You Should Plant...

    Native wildflowers are those that were growing naturally in the... Read More

    Pond Construction

    The location of your pond should be decided. You've picked... Read More

    Invite Spring Early - Grow in Your Basement

    Now's the time to get ready to grow your own... Read More

    How to Rid that Lawn of Thatch!

    You know that brown patchy debris in a lawn that... Read More

    Lazy Fish Worries

    If your fish hang out at the bottom of the... Read More

    Manage Algae

    There are several different ways to manage algae in your... Read More

    Grow the BEST Tasting Tomatoes

    Tired of tomatoes that are rock hard and taste like... Read More

    Trust Your Plants - They Know How To Grow!

    I've done a lot of container gardening over the years,... Read More