The Fine Art of Pruning Rose Bushes

Pruning rose bushes is about more than justyou can use some hand shears, which have a
cutting some branches away.shorter handle and are more than adequate for
It is an art and when done properly not onlysmaller bushes.
makes your garden more beautiful to view, butThe technique you use when pruning rose bushes
also makes the plant stronger and healthier. Manydepends on the effect you want and the type of
people do not know anything about it and soroses you are pruning. However, there are some
either neglect to do it at all, or prune the plantstechniques that should be followed for all roses.
improperly. When pruning your roses, there arePruning dead wood, blooms, and canes is the first
different tools and techniques that should bepriority. Get rid of anything that is not necessary.
employed.Weak looking canes should also be pruned, as well
as those that are rubbing against each other.
There are several reasons for pruning.Regular pruning in this way will help increase the
First, you want your bushes to be as gorgeous assunlight and air circulation throughout, giving you a
possible. Pruning away old dead branches andhealthy plant all the way through. It will also help
excess will give you a more beautiful plant. Youyour roses look nicer, encourage more new
also want to make sure the roses get plenty ofblooms, and help protect your roses from disease.
room to grow and breathe and that the sunlight isWhen pruning rose bushes it is important that you
able to penetrate into the plant, encouraging moredon't take away any of the new buds.
blooms.These appear as little nodules along the branch
Many people like their bushes to be a certainand will be your new blooms when the plant
shape and size. Pruning rose bushes is the beststarts to grow again. Look for these buds and
way to control their growth. Sometimes rosesmake your cuts just above them, especially the
can become weak or diseased. Pruning them willones that are facing outward.
help keep them healthy and strong, getting rid ofThe plant does not need to be dormant for this
all the old branches and diseased parts of thetype of maintenance does not have to be done.
plant.Some small tidying up such as getting rid of the
dead blooms and cutting out any diseased or
This job requires specific tools and a sturdy pairdead canes and wood can be done during the
of gloves.growing season as long as you are careful. Try
Roses have very sharp thorns and your handsnot to make any major cuts until the growing
need to be protected. You will also need the rightseason is over and the plant is dormant.
kind of pruning shears. Never use hedge trimmersThe art of pruning rose bushes is also a skill that
because they can actually do damage to yourmust be perfected over time. Once you get the
roses. Instead, use some regular loppers, makinghang of it, you will have beautiful flowers and
sure that they are sharp first. For smaller bushes,gorgeous plants to enjoy each year.