Roses are striking garden plants which are found in lots of gardens around the country. They come in different varieties and colours, with popular ones including pink, white and yellow. Whilst different roses need pruning at different times of the year, spring is a great time to give them a trim.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the two key aims of pruning are to keep the plant healthy and shape it correctly. This is done by “removing any dead, diseased or damaged shoots”, as well as opening up the centre of the plant to “improve air circulation”, which deters fungal diseases.
Rambling or climber type
The RHS said: “If your rose has long arching stems, is very tall or needs some sort of support to hold it up, then it is most likely a climber or rambler.
“Where there is only one thick old stem going down to ground level, go easy as it may not regenerate if cut back hard. Instead, shorten by between a third and a half.
“For multi-stemmed roses, aim to take out one or two of the oldest-looking stems as close to the base as you can.”
If the response the following season is for the rose to send out lots of strong shoots, chances are it’s a rambler.
A rose that responds with less vigorous flowering growth is probably a climber, according to the RHS.
Shrub or bush roses
Start by taking out one or two stems as close to the ground level as you can, or to younger-looking side stems low down.
The RHS added: “Shorten remaining stems by 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.”
Gardeners are also recommended to mulch well with garden compost or manure to ensure the plant “flowers vigorously”.
Whilst roses are best pruned in February or March, April isn’t too late for a number of varieties.
Pruning in April, especially if the roses are just starting to wake up with new growth, is still beneficial for the plant’s health and future flowering, according to David Austin Roses.
The plant might flower a little later than usual, but you’ll still help it to grow better throughout the season.