A rose by any other name...

Rosa 'Brilliant Pink Iceberg' floribunda

I don't know about you all, but where I live the weather has been teasing us! The last week has had highs in the upper 40's, and when the sun is out it almost feels like spring. To a gardener at heart, it also means pruning time! As soon as we had our first thaw in the gardens I was always itching to be outside, checking for bud swells and other signs of life!

Late February and early March is the best time to prune roses in my hardiness zone (go here to identify your own... in milder climates, roses may be pruned earlier).

Roses should be pruned for many reasons:

- Encourage new and stronger growth
- Control height and shape of the plant
- Remove dead or diseased material
- Eliminate crossing branches and weak areas that are more susceptible to disease and pests
- Open the plant for better light and air circulation

Rosa 'Pink Carpet'

These are the same roses as above, pruned and cleaned out. Generally you want to choose the strongest canes and cut out all the spindly, weak canes. The goal is to open up the middle of the plant and direct all growth outward.

I wish I had my own pruning examples to show, but alas, no roses at this house. This picture is all over the internet--works for me. It clearly illustrates the best way to cut. The goal is a 45 degree angle about 1/4" above the bud. Again, try to choose buds that point to the outside of the plant.

With these guidelines in mind, there are really only a few basic steps:
1. Use clean, sharp tools (pruners and long-handled loppers for bigger canes).
2. Cut out dead, broken, or diseased wood first (black or discolored, withered, etc.).
3. Remove weak or twiggy branches thinner than a pencil.
4. Remove suckers growing beneath the graft (the big knot at the base of the plant... they could be a different variety and take over!).
5. Trim canes down to desired height, but don't remove more than 1/3 of the overall plant.
6. Clean out dead leaves in and under the plant, as they could harbor disease and pests.

I welcome anyone else's suggestions, comments, and questions about roses! It's not really hard, it just takes practice! And really, any pruning is better than no pruning.