| The second half of winter is the best time for | | | | the bud union to direct sunlight, thereby inducing |
| pruning most rose shrub varieties in the mild | | | | fresh buds to sprout and develop into young |
| winters typical of a Mediterranean climate. The | | | | branches. |
| purpose of pruning however, is not always clear | | | | Similarly, removing week and thin branches directs |
| to the home gardener. "Well it's what roses need | | | | the plant's energy into the young branch tissue, |
| isn't it" - is a common remark. There are in fact | | | | and therefore, a few weeks later, into the |
| two main reasons for giving your roses a good | | | | flowers. Removing the tangle of thorns and |
| annual prune. | | | | branches, allows more light into the center of the |
| Better Flowers | | | | bush, with the afore-mentioned effect of |
| Flower buds that develop on the new growth that | | | | encouraging, young, healthy, and vibrant tissue. |
| sprouts from a pruning cut are likely to be more | | | | Extending the Roses' "Shelf Life" |
| numerous and of better quality than from those | | | | Overall, pruning probably does not extend the life |
| flower buds that open on old wood. Moreover, | | | | of the plant. In fact if anything, it may well result |
| the flowers should be more or less at eye level, | | | | in reducing it. However, as gardeners, we are |
| as opposed to a bush that is not pruned. In the | | | | concerned with the quality of the plant's |
| latter case, especially after the passing of a few | | | | existence, and the contribution it makes to the |
| years, the flowers tend to be at a height that | | | | beauty of the garden. In this regard, the annual |
| reduces their visual effect and significance. | | | | pruning of most rose varieties increases the |
| Removing Old Growth | | | | years by which they perform satisfactorily. |
| The second reason for pruning is to pave the | | | | Warning |
| way for juvenile branches to develop by the | | | | Just be careful that your roses are not those |
| removal of old or aging wood. Providing there are | | | | species that flower on the growth that originated |
| a number of new limbs growing, one or two old | | | | in the previous spring. If pruned in the winter they |
| branches can be cut down as far as the bud | | | | simply will not bloom later as the flower buds will |
| union. This has the additional effect of exposing | | | | have removed! |