Roses have a reputation as difficult to prune, which is really unfair to roses, and puts people off planting such a wonderful range of colourful, scented species. As far as pruning roses goes, the only thing you can do wrong is not to prune them! If you’re really unsure, just cut them back to about 9” off the ground in early spring. Trials conducted by rose growers showed that plants hacked back with a hedge trimmer performed just as well as those pruned carefully by the book. In fact some local authorities using roses in large quantities have resorted to quick mechanical pruning with no ill effects. However, if you want to do it the traditional way, take the tall growths down a bit in November, just to prevent wind rocking the plants, but leave the real pruning till early spring. First identify any dead growth, and cut it out right back to healthy wood. Then take out any spindly growth, again right back to a main stem. Next, take out any stems which are crossing other stems and crowding the centre of the plant - if you have a choice which to remove, always leave the sturdiest one. Finally, prune back the stems that are left to about 9” above ground. Always cut just above a bud, and make a sloping cut which will shed the rain. Remove all your prunings, and any old leaves lying around from last year, because the dreaded black-spot overwinters on old leaves, and will spread to the young growth if left lying around. Don’t be afriad to get stuck in and cut them back hard - the most common mistake is not being savage enough!
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Dec 9th, 2000
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