| The mild winters common to Mediterranean | | | | New growth does not always develop from old |
| climates means that pruning woody plants in | | | | wood, so if all the bush's main branches are old, it |
| general, and roses in particular, ought to be | | | | may be necessary to prune higher up the plant, |
| carried out differently than in cold, temperate | | | | on secondary branches. That is why new growth |
| climates. This includes both when and how to | | | | should be encouraged by clearing old branches at |
| prune roses bushes. | | | | the bud union. (The woody swelling between the |
| The reasons for pruning are the same however, | | | | roots and the branches) |
| irrespective of the climate. These are principally, | | | | 3 Points to Remember |
| to induce better flowering in terms of both | | | | *While most cultivated rose varieties flower on |
| quantity and quality, and to remove old growth | | | | the current year's spring growth, some species |
| for the purpose of encouraging juvenile growth. | | | | roses, especially those that originate from |
| The possibility of enjoying the beauty of a rose | | | | continental climates such as in Central Asia, flower |
| bush for years to come depends largely on this | | | | on growth that started in the previous spring. The |
| last point. | | | | consequence of pruning in the winter, whether at |
| When to Prune Roses | | | | the beginning or at the end, is therefore, to |
| In mild winter climates, it is important not to | | | | remove all the flower buds. This is invariably the |
| prune too early in the winter, because the | | | | reason behind the common complaint - "my roses |
| combination of warm spells, together with the act | | | | never seem to flower!" With such roses, pruning |
| of pruning, induces buds to sprout and grow, only | | | | should be delayed until the plants have finished |
| for late frosts to wipe out the juvenile tissue. This | | | | flowering. |
| is not only a source of fungal and bacterial | | | | *Climbing roses are liable to regress to their |
| infection, but also is liable to weaken the rose | | | | non-climbing origins, if branches are shortened too |
| plant in general. As rule of thumb, prune about 6 | | | | much. Pruning should be restricted to deadheading |
| weeks before the date when frosts are unlikely | | | | spent flowers, or entirely removing one or two |
| to occur. | | | | old limbs. |
| How to Prune Roses | | | | *Rambling and other species roses are more |
| Unlike in cold climates, there is no need to prune | | | | valuable for their shape, texture, and form, than |
| the roses hard to the ground. This only wastes | | | | for their brief period of flowering. Shortening |
| valuable energy. Instead, it is often sufficient to | | | | branches, which is suitable for cultivated varieties |
| remove between a third and a half of the shrub's | | | | (hybrid teas, floribundas e.t.c.) spoils the bushes |
| height. Preferably, one should cut into young | | | | natural shape. In such cases, it is better to thin old |
| branches, at growing points (buds) that are facing | | | | wood, by cutting out branches completely. |
| outwards. | | | | |