Pruning Roses
Floribunda Roses
Sometimes called cluster-flowered roses, floribundas are noted for their prolific blooming.
1. In early spring, cut back all dead, diseased and damaged stems, cutting them back to their point of origin, if necessary.
2. Remove any crossing or awkwardly placed shoots that are growing into the centre of the bush.
3.Shorten the remaining stems by up to two-thirds of their length, cutting back to healthy buds that are pointing outwards. Prune vigorous varieties lightly, weaker-growing plants harder.
4. During the flowering season, remove spent flower trusses to encourage the plant to flower further.
Hybrid Tea Roses
Also known as large-flowered roses, hybrid teas have large, fully double flowers with a high centre. Their beautiful blooms are perfect for floral displays.
1. In early spring, cut out any diseased or dead shoots, as well as any stems that are badly placed. Most of these can be cut back to their point of origin, but if growth is spar to just above a healthy bud.
2. Prune the remaining stems to within 20-25cm (8-10in) of the ground. Always cut to an outward-facing bud.
3. During the flowering season, remove spent flowers to prolong the display.
Shrub Roses
Wild roses and old-fashioned varieties of roses that pre-date hybrid teas and floribundas are known as shrub roses. They generally flower for a fairly short period.
1. Pruning prevents congestion, improves the shrub’s appearance and increases the number of blooms. In early spring, thin congested growth by cutting back old stems at ground level.
2. Shorten main shoots by up to a half. Some need only light trimming.
3. Side shoots can be shortened by up to two-thirds.
Standard Roses
Prune standard roses in early spring to form an attractive, rounded head. Weeping standards are pruned in summer to retain their flowing appearance.
1. In early spring, shorten the previous year’s main stems to about six buds from the base, cutting to outward-facing buds. Aim for a balanced shape, but do not prune too hard or new shoots may spoil the shape.
2. Shorten side shoots to a couple of buds. To prevent congestion cut back dead or diseased wood.
3. Remove the flowers as they fade to prolong the display.
Climbing Roses
Prolific climbing roses are usually repeat-flowering, often on a combination of the old and new wood. They are frequently highly scented as well as impressive to look at.
1. In the first few years after planting, the aim is to build up a framework of branches. In spring, cut back any unproductive shoots, but not more than one-third of the stems or flowering will suffer next year.
2. In summer, tie in vigorous shoots as they grow, using soft string. Do not tie too tightly — you may chafe the stems.
3. Cut back the faded flowers to encourage further flowering.
Rambling Roses
These roses flower once, on the old wood. They then produce a mass of new growth near to the base.
1. In late summer, after flowering, cut out all dead or damaged shoots, as well as any that are weak and spindly.
2. Shorten older canes that have flowered to vigorous new shoots. You will be able to leave some unpruned.
3. Tie in the new shoots to the support. Try to pull them to the horizontal —they will produce more flower-bearing laterals for next year.
4. On the canes that remain, shorten the side shoots to two or three leaves.
more on pruning roses
Sometimes called cluster-flowered roses, floribundas are noted for their prolific blooming.
1. In early spring, cut back all dead, diseased and damaged stems, cutting them back to their point of origin, if necessary.
2. Remove any crossing or awkwardly placed shoots that are growing into the centre of the bush.
3.Shorten the remaining stems by up to two-thirds of their length, cutting back to healthy buds that are pointing outwards. Prune vigorous varieties lightly, weaker-growing plants harder.
4. During the flowering season, remove spent flower trusses to encourage the plant to flower further.
Hybrid Tea Roses
Also known as large-flowered roses, hybrid teas have large, fully double flowers with a high centre. Their beautiful blooms are perfect for floral displays.
1. In early spring, cut out any diseased or dead shoots, as well as any stems that are badly placed. Most of these can be cut back to their point of origin, but if growth is spar to just above a healthy bud.
2. Prune the remaining stems to within 20-25cm (8-10in) of the ground. Always cut to an outward-facing bud.
3. During the flowering season, remove spent flowers to prolong the display.
Shrub Roses
Wild roses and old-fashioned varieties of roses that pre-date hybrid teas and floribundas are known as shrub roses. They generally flower for a fairly short period.
1. Pruning prevents congestion, improves the shrub’s appearance and increases the number of blooms. In early spring, thin congested growth by cutting back old stems at ground level.
2. Shorten main shoots by up to a half. Some need only light trimming.
3. Side shoots can be shortened by up to two-thirds.
Standard Roses
Prune standard roses in early spring to form an attractive, rounded head. Weeping standards are pruned in summer to retain their flowing appearance.
1. In early spring, shorten the previous year’s main stems to about six buds from the base, cutting to outward-facing buds. Aim for a balanced shape, but do not prune too hard or new shoots may spoil the shape.
2. Shorten side shoots to a couple of buds. To prevent congestion cut back dead or diseased wood.
3. Remove the flowers as they fade to prolong the display.
Climbing Roses
Prolific climbing roses are usually repeat-flowering, often on a combination of the old and new wood. They are frequently highly scented as well as impressive to look at.
1. In the first few years after planting, the aim is to build up a framework of branches. In spring, cut back any unproductive shoots, but not more than one-third of the stems or flowering will suffer next year.
2. In summer, tie in vigorous shoots as they grow, using soft string. Do not tie too tightly — you may chafe the stems.
3. Cut back the faded flowers to encourage further flowering.
Rambling Roses
These roses flower once, on the old wood. They then produce a mass of new growth near to the base.
1. In late summer, after flowering, cut out all dead or damaged shoots, as well as any that are weak and spindly.
2. Shorten older canes that have flowered to vigorous new shoots. You will be able to leave some unpruned.
3. Tie in the new shoots to the support. Try to pull them to the horizontal —they will produce more flower-bearing laterals for next year.
4. On the canes that remain, shorten the side shoots to two or three leaves.
more on pruning roses
