| When growing a garden, it is important to know | | | | season. Most varieties should have old blooms |
| when to prune roses in order to keep them | | | | removed to encourage growth of new buds for |
| healthy and strong. Knowing when it is time for | | | | next season. Do this by choosing a place under |
| pruning is as important as knowing how the | | | | the joint and removing the wilting growth facing |
| pruning process should be done. One of the most | | | | out just above it. This will allow the new bloom |
| common mistakes people make is pruning at the | | | | underneath to grow. You can also ask a local |
| wrong time. | | | | gardener when to prune roses if you are unsure. |
| There are several reasons for pruning your | | | | 3. Late Summer - By time late summer comes, |
| flowers, such as for the removal of leaves and | | | | you should see a significant decrease in new |
| stems that may be diseased, and to ensure that | | | | growth. You should still do light pruning during this |
| newer and healthier buds will grow in their place. | | | | time to be sure there are no damaged or |
| For instance, if you have a plant that has a lot of | | | | diseased foliage. |
| disease, then chances are the new buds that | | | | 4. Fall - As autumn comes, you will probably |
| grow in will be diseased as well. | | | | notice the majority of the growing has stopped, |
| Now that we know the why's of pruning, let us | | | | and there is not much new growth. As fall |
| take a look at when to prune roses to ensure | | | | progresses and your roses begin to go into their |
| that they reach their full potential. | | | | dormant time period, you should do one final |
| 1. Spring - You should do spring pruning to grow | | | | pruning to ensure good health. This will also help |
| and maintain healthy plants and to prevent them | | | | protect them from the strong winds of winter |
| from being too top heavy. The majority of it | | | | that may lie ahead. |
| should be done on the thinner stems that are | | | | When your plants have become fully dormant, is |
| most unlikely to produce the flowers that you are | | | | definitely NOT a good example of when to prune |
| anxiously awaiting. Leave the strong and healthy | | | | roses. The only steps that you should really be |
| looking branches alone, but remove any that | | | | taking at this quiet time is to make sure that your |
| appear to be dead or diseased. Remember that all | | | | plants are well protected from winter freezes and |
| plants are different and when to prune roses is | | | | applying any winter washes that might be |
| dependent on what variety you are attempting to | | | | necessary to prevent disease spores and |
| grow. Cutting away anything at the wrong time | | | | diseases such as black spot and mildew. Following |
| can be as detrimental as doing nothing at all. | | | | these simple steps will ensure you have a |
| 2. Middle Summer - By the middle of summer, | | | | wonderfully vibrant and colorful garden when |
| most plants are still blooming heavily, but most of | | | | spring comes back around. |
| the truly beautiful ones will have passed for the | | | | |