Tips for Pruning Roses

 Pruning roses is important to plant healthpruned as aggressively as typical rose shrubs.
because it encourages new growth and removesWhen pruning climbers, remove dead, damaged,
winter-damaged limbs. Different classes of roseor diseased limbs as needed, but it is important
required different methods of pruning at varyingnot to prune young climbing roses too much,
times of the year. Climbing roses and rose bushesparticularly for the first couple years. Wood that is
are two classes of roses which required slightlynot dead, but not desirable on the plant should be
different techniques for pruning. This article willcut away from the base and carefully removed
help explain some general rules for pruning andfrom the rest of the plant.
should serve as a basic guide on how to pruneHybrid Teas are one variety of rose that bloom
roses.on new growth, and therefore should be pruned in
Most rose plants will need to be pruned in thethe spring. Although Tea roses are a delicate class
spring; however, roses that bloom on wood fromof roses, often susceptible to diseases and bugs,
the previous year should only be trimmed in theHybrid Tea roses offer the classic beauty of their
fall after they have finished blooming. Pruningforerunners with a hardiness that allows a
roses in the spring can be divided into severalbeginning gardener to enjoy their stunning blooms.
steps. First, remove dead limbs and cane that hasHowever, Hybrid Tea should not be pruned
been damaged over the winter. Secondly, trimaggressively until the rose bush is very well
away any limbs that are not growing away fromestablished. Otherwise, pruning Hybrid Teas
the center of the plant. This is particularlyare the same as previously mentioned.
important as limbs that grow inward cut down onIf you grow rose bushes of any kind, it is
air circulation and increase the likelihood of a bugimportant prune roses annually to promote new
infestation or disease. Finally, how does the plantgrowth and ensure beautiful blooms. They  are
look? It is symmetrical and is its shape pleasing tocommonly pruned in the spring, providing the
the eye? If not, then trim accordingly so that itvariety in your garden blooms on new growth.
not only fits in the allotted space, but looks neatlyHowever, rambling roses, for example, bloom on
pruned. last year's wood and should not be pruned until
Climbing roses require slightly different pruningthey are finished flowering. Although the season
techniques than regular rose bushes. As they areand intensity of pruning may vary from variety
often mammoth plants that often take years toto variety, basic steps to pruning roses are
grow to an impressive size, climbing roses are notgenerally the same.