How to Prune Roses

How to Prune Roses

Pruning is one of the most important steps in keeping your roses healthy and beautiful. Regular pruning not only shapes the plant but also encourages strong new growth, better blooms, and improved air circulation. By removing old or damaged wood and guiding the direction of new canes, you help your roses stay vigorous and full of life season after season.

Why We Prune Roses

Pruning roses promotes health, vigor, and structure. Regular pruning:

  • Shapes the plant for better form and growth direction
  • Removes unproductive or winter-damaged wood
  • Improves air circulation to prevent disease

The best time to prune is early spring, after the last killing frost but before new growth begins.

How to Prune Roses

  • Remove weak or winter-damaged wood, cutting 1–2 inches below the damage.
  • Cut out any crossing branches to open the center of the plant.
  • Keep only the newest, healthiest canes.
  • Remove suckers that grow below the bud union.
  • When cutting, make each cut ¼ inch above a dormant bud eye that faces outward — new growth will emerge from that bud.

Special Notes for Climbing Roses

Climbing roses bloom best on two-year-old wood, so prune them lightly.

  • Remove only spindly new wood, older canes that are no longer blooming well, and any damaged canes.

A well-pruned rose bush is both healthier and more attractive, rewarding your care with strong canes and abundant flowers. By pruning at the right time and removing the right wood, you’ll keep your roses thriving year after year—whether they’re hybrid teas, shrubs, or climbers. A few thoughtful cuts in early spring can make all the difference in a summer full of color.