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​‪@ACORNHILL‬ ROSE PRUNING 2023: THE EASIEST ROSE PRUNING TUTORIAL TIPS FOR SPRING 2023

These general tips for rose pruning will help you improve the health and lifespan of any rose.

WHEN TO PRUNE ROSES?
Late winter (February or March) is often a good time for pruning roses but see the individual rose profiles above for more specific timing.

How to prune roses: general tips
When tackling roses bear the following in mind;
Cuts should be no more than 5mm (¼ in) above a bud and should slope downwards away from it, so that water does not collect on the bud. This applies to all cuts, whether removing dead wood, deadheading or annual pruning
Cut to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open-centred shape. With roses of spreading habit, prune some stems to inward-facing buds to encourage more upright growth
Cut to the appropriate height, if a dormant bud is not visible
Cuts must be clean, so keep your secateurs sharp. For larger stems, use loppers or a pruning saw
Prune dieback to healthy white pith
Cut out dead and diseased stems and spindly and crossing stems
Aim for well-spaced stems that allow free air flow
On established roses, cut out poorly flowering old wood and saw away old stubs that have failed to produce new shoots
With the exception of climbing roses and shrub roses, prune all newly planted roses hard to encourage vigorous shoots
Trace suckers back to the roots from which they grow and pull them away
These tips should be read in conjunction with the appropriate rose pruning profile.

Shrub or bush type
Very small roses are easy to recognise so follow our guide for patio and miniature roses. Larger roses might be any number of types, from hybrid tea and floribunda to species and shrub roses. If in doubt;
Take out one or two stems as close to ground level as you can or to younger looking (green barked) side stems low down
Shorten remaining stems by between a third and a half
If the response the next season is lots of vigorous regrowth that flowers well, chances are it is a floribunda or hybrid tea
Otherwise, it is more likely to be a type of shrub rose
Feed all pruned roses with a general purpose or rose fertiliser in spring. Mulch with garden compost or manure.