Roses, beloved for their diverse colors, sizes, and shapes, can become unruly and difficult to manage without proper care. Pruning these plants is crucial for maintaining their health and beauty. Even if you’re worried about making mistakes, don’t fret—roses are resilient and often bounce back from clumsy cuts.
Timing Is Everything
Gardening enthusiast Emma Sandford recently asked on the Gardening UK Facebook group about the best time to prune her roses. After weather damage left her roses in poor shape, she sought advice on how to cut them back. Her post quickly received over 80 responses, with most gardeners recommending a late winter pruning.
Sarah Anne shared her success story: “I gave mine a thorough prune in February, and they’ve been the best they’ve ever been. I only had to deadhead them this year.”
When to Prune
Richard Weaving advised: “Light trims can be done anytime, but for a full prune, wait until February. Avoid pruning in summer.”
Rachel Ellis suggested: “Cut back to where you see five leaves. My roses have been producing new buds consistently since I started doing this.”
Shannon Fields echoed the sentiment: “February is the best time to prune. My roses have been blooming like crazy since.”
Reviving Old Roses
Jasmine Bartlett shared her experience: “My roses were woody and in poor shape. I considered removing them but decided to cut them back to the ground in February/March. They grew back with strong stems and produced beautiful blooms—just took two minutes.”
Mark Wilson added: “It’s a bit early for pruning here in the UK. I usually deadhead now, then reduce by half in October and tidy up again in February.”
Step-by-Step Guide
Fiona Mitchell offered a step-by-step approach: “Prune in late autumn after growth has stopped, then again in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Cutting back hard in early spring will encourage new shoots.”
RHS Recommendations
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) supports these guidelines, recommending pruning in late winter as roses begin to wake up. In the southern UK, this is usually mid-February, while in colder northern areas, it’s best to wait until March.
Ongoing Care
In the summer, continue to care for roses by deadheading, which involves removing wilted blooms to encourage more flowers. This simple task keeps your roses looking vibrant and flourishing throughout the growing season.
