To ensure your blooms perform their best when it comes to flowering season, it’s essential that you give them a good prune to keep them healthy. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this step-by-step guide will take you through everything you need to know to prune your roses with confidence.
Why Pruning Roses is Important
Pruning helps to:
- Remove dead or diseased wood
- Encourage new, strong growth
- Improve air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal infections
- Shape the plant for a better display of flowers
- Boost the number of blooms for the following season
When to Prune Your Roses
The best time to prune roses depends on the type of rose and your local climate. In the UK, the main pruning season is late winter to early spring (February to March) before new growth starts. However, light pruning and deadheading can be done throughout the growing season to maintain shape and encourage continuous flowering.
General Pruning Times by Rose Type:
- Hybrid Tea & Floribunda Roses – Late winter to early spring (February-March)
- Climbing Roses – Late autumn or early spring (October-November or February-March)
- Rambling Roses – Immediately after flowering in summer
- Shrub & Old English Roses – Late winter or after flowering
A Step-by-Step Guide to Pruning Roses
You will need:
- Sharp secateurs, for precise cuts
- Loppers, for thicker stems
- Disinfectant, to clean your tools and prevent the spread of disease
- Gloves, to protect your hands from thorns
How to Prune Your Roses
1. Remove Dead, Diseased, or Damaged Wood
Start by cutting out any dead or dying stems, and remove any blackened or shrivelled stems, cutting them back to healthy wood. Ensure to dispose of these cuttings away from the plant to prevent the spread of disease.
2. Cut at the Right Angle and Position
Make your cuts about 5mm above an outward-facing bud, you’ll see these small green/red buds along healthy stems. You should cut at a 45-degree angle, sloping away from the bud to prevent water collection.
3. Remove Weak or Crossing Stems
Eliminate any thin, spindly stems that won’t produce strong blooms and remove stems that cross over others to improve air circulation and prevent rubbing.
4. Shape Your Rose Bush
You want to aim for an open, vase-like shape to allow sunlight and air to reach the centre of the plant.
- For bush roses, cut stems back by about a third to encourage healthy growth.
- For climbing roses, remove old wood, tie in strong new shoots, and prune side shoots to two or three buds.
5. Clean Up & Mulch
Remove all pruned material from around the base of the plant and apply a mulch of well-rotted manure or compost to nourish the plant and retain moisture. This will set it up well for great blooms in the season ahead.
Top Tips for Pruning Roses
✅ Use sharp, clean tools – Blunt or dirty tools can crush stems and introduce disease.
✅ Prune on a dry day – This helps prevent fungal infections.
✅ Don’t be afraid to cut – Roses are resilient and will grow back stronger.
✅ Feed or mulch after pruning – Apply a balanced rose fertiliser to promote new growth.
✅ Deadhead regularly – Removing spent flowers will encourage repeat blooming during peak growing season.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Pruning too early – Can lead to frost damage.
❌ Cutting too close to a bud – Leaves it vulnerable to disease.
❌ Leaving too much dead wood – Encourages pests and weakens the plant.
❌ Over-pruning – While roses can handle a good cutback, excessive pruning may reduce flowering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pruning Roses
Q: Can I prune my roses in autumn?
A: Light pruning in autumn is fine to remove dead stems and shape the plant, but heavy pruning should be left until late winter or early spring.
Q: How do I prune a climbing rose?
A: Remove old wood, tie in strong new shoots horizontally, and prune side shoots back to two or three buds.
Q: Will my roses die if I prune them too hard?
A: No! Roses are hardy and will usually bounce back, even after a severe cut.
Pruning your roses doesn’t have to be daunting. By following these simple steps and expert tips, you’ll be rewarded with healthy, vibrant plants and beautiful blooms all season long. Whether you have hybrid teas, climbers, or shrub roses, a little care and attention will go a long way in ensuring they thrive.
Looking for a fragrant rose to add to your collection? Here are our Plant Manager, Paul’s favourites from the David Austin range:
“Bring me Sunshine” – rich sunset orange-yellow flowers with a myrrh fragrance
“Gertrude Jekyll” – light pink flowers and lovely ‘old rose’ perfume
“Gabriel Oak” – deep pink flowers and wonderful fruity fragrance
For all your rose care essentials, including secateurs, fertilisers, and compost, visit St. John’s Garden Centre today, and don’t forget to ask our expert team if you need any further advice! Happy pruning! 🌹✨