| Knowing when to prune roses is a matter of first | | | | You also have to be aware of how mature your |
| acknowledging why you have to prune them and | | | | rose plant already is. Bourbons, portlands, and |
| how you're going to do it well. Pruning roses | | | | climbing roses are usually pruned after their first |
| removes damaged and dead wood in the form of | | | | flowering. Centifolias, albas, damasks, and |
| rough, striated canes and decayed, older stems. It | | | | miniature roses also have to be pruned after |
| improves air circulation by clearing the center of | | | | flowering but more to restore shape and health. |
| the bush from dried leaves and branches to give | | | | When to prune roses is limited by the first two |
| more room for new growth and flowering. It also | | | | years of life when roses aren't mature enough |
| helps give a better form and shape to the rose | | | | for flowering. Once they've matured, about |
| bush. | | | | one-third of their foliage can actually be trimmed |
| Once you notice deadwood and dried branches | | | | off to give way to new, healthier leaves and |
| drooping your rose plant, that's when to prune | | | | stems. |
| roses at once. You should bring out your loppers | | | | You may begin pruning from the base of the |
| and pruners, and wear your long gloves to get | | | | bush going upwards. Cut at a 45-degree angle |
| into the job of pruning. Just make sure your | | | | one-fourth inch above the opposite side of an |
| cutting tools are sharp and precise and that your | | | | outward-facing bud. The live, whitish part of the |
| gloves are in good condition. You can also | | | | stem called its pith should show and be sealed |
| anticipate doing some pruning when some reddish | | | | with white glue or clear nail polish to prevent |
| buds start to form on your rose stems, indicate | | | | aphids and fungi from entering the freshly-cut pith. |
| that flowering will soon begin and you still have | | | | Knowing when to prune roses has its long term |
| ample time to prepare for it. | | | | benefits, the results of which would be a healthier |
| For rose cultivators everywhere, knowing the | | | | rose bush with buds leading to new leaves and |
| type of rose plant they grew and the current | | | | flowers as expected. Its foliage will be richer, and |
| climate they're living in that sets into motion the | | | | its shape will be fuller and better distributed from |
| proper timing of when to prune roses. For | | | | the center. Effective pruning removes visible |
| instance, you may prune modern, every-blooming | | | | evidence of damage from fungal parasites and |
| roses like tea roses, grandiflora, and floribunda | | | | feeding insects. It prevents your plant from |
| every early spring since they only bloom once a | | | | looking congested and aging ungracefully, and it |
| season. Roses which bloom more than once, alas, | | | | keeps your rose bush young and healthy-looking. |
| have to be trimmed more often. They are | | | | A well-pruned rose bush leaves clear signs of your |
| mostly pruned as early as January and then are | | | | gardening skill and close personal attention in |
| lightly trimmed come September. | | | | handling plants as delightful as roses. |