Learn how and when to prune roses in the fall.
These simple steps will ensure healthy growth and beautiful blooms next season.
When Should You Prune Roses in Fall?
Credit:Getty Images
The most dramatic pruning is done in late fall and early spring.
Pruning any earlier can encourage new growth that will be damaged by cold temperatures.
Wait until the rose is dormant.
Dip the tool blades in the solution to help prevent the spread of disease and the eggs of insects.
Dead canes look brown and withered and should be removed.
However, fall pruning to remove diseased or dead canes is important.
Reducing the height of the rose by one-third will also help prevent damage from winter winds and snow.
Old garden rose varieties require very little pruning.
Simply remove only the oldest stems that are no longer productive.
Climbing Roses
Climbing rosesshould not be pruned in the fall except to remove broken branches.
Most climbers produce flowers on stems that are at least one year old.
Prune in the spring just after they flower to control the shape of the rose.
Landscape Roses (Knock Out):
These roses can grow up to four feet high.
To keep them from looking scraggly, prune them back to around 30 inches after the first hard freeze.
New growth will quickly appear in the spring.
Aftercare and Maintenance
When you are finished pruning, clean up the area carefully.
Stem and leaf clippings can carry diseases and insect eggs that overwinter and cause problems in the spring.
Some gardeners remove every leaf remaining on the newly pruned rose as a precaution.
Do not fertilize or heavily water fall-pruned roses.
You dont want to encourage new growth as winter begins.
Use finely shredded pine bark to mulch the roses to a depth of about six to eight inches.
