What to Know About Pruning Rose Bushes In 4 Easy Steps

Pruning your roses will help increase blooming and decrease disease and pest problems. Follow these steps to learn how to make the right cuts.

When's the Best Time for Pruning Shrub Rose Bushes?

Rose Bush Pruning In Spring

Do most of your pruning in early spring, just before new growth begins. In cold-climate areas, wait to prune until the buds just begin to swell in spring. It's easy at that time to tell the difference between healthy canes and buds and those that didn't make it through the winter. Fertilize roses after spring pruning to encourage strong new growth.

Pruning Spent Flowers

Remove spent flowers and dead canes whenever they occur. The goal is to keep the center of the shrub free of twiggy, weak growth.

Tools for Pruning Rose Bushes

• Heavy thorn-proof gloves: Look for elbow-length gloves at garden centers.
• Safety glasses: To protect your eyes.
• Sharp hand pruners: You need these for canes up to 1/2 inch in diameter.
• Loppers or small pruning saw: For cutting larger stems and to reach into the center of dense shrubs.
• Bleach and water

Step 1: Inspect Your Rose Plant

First, identify all dead and damaged canes. Next, locate long thin canes and canes that grow from below the graft union, if the plant is grafted. Finally, look for canes that rub against or crowd each other, especially if they're growing through the center of the bush.

Step 2: Determine Where to Cut

Prune canes back to fat pink buds that face the outside of the shrub. Cut the spindly canes back by half their length or to 2 to 3 feet long. Cut or break off canes completely that grow from below the graft union. Remove diseased canes, and those that rub or crowd, back to healthy outward-facing buds. If you see brown tissue in the center of a cane when you cut it, prune a little farther back until the tissue is clear and healthy.

Step 3: Make the Right Pruning Cut

Make your cut about 1/4 inch above a healthy bud and at a 45-degree angle. The bud and the high point of the cut should be on the same side of the cane so that water will drain away from the bud. To prevent the spread of disease, clean your pruning tools between shrubs with a mix of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water.

Step 4: Remove Spent Flowers

To encourage repeat flowering, use hand pruners or scissors to remove flowers as soon as they finish blooming. Cut each flower stem back to a leaf with 5 to 7 leaflets and a healthy bud.