Knowing how to prune roses can be a thorny subject for beginner gardeners. This guide will show you how to prune roses with ease!

February is the best month to prune roses, just before spring. The exception is climbing and rambling roses, which can be pruned in the autumn once they have finished flowering.

The main steps when pruning roses are:

Snip Away the 3 D’s

Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Cut back to an outward-facing bud to encourage new growth in the right direction and give your plant a lovely, open shape.

Cut out the Rubbing Stems

If stems are growing too close together, cut them back to stop them rubbing or competing for space. Plants need room to breathe!

Reinvigorate from the Bottom Up

Remove older stems that have lost their vigour to make way for fresh new growth lower down. 

Tidy the Tiddlers & Stragglers

Get rid of any ‘snags’ – those short, dead stems with no growth—and thin, twiggy branches that won’t give you much in terms of flowers or foliage. Focus the plant’s energy where it matters.

Cut back previous year’s growth

As a good rule of thumb, take 1/3rd off previous year’s growth to an outward facing bud. Some stems can be cut shorter if needed to maintain an even shape.

When pruning, cut the rose branch at an angle near a bud as this will prevent water from collecting on the top of the cut.

Always prune to an outward-facing bud, or, if this is not possible, to a side-facing bud. This encourages outward growth and a goblet shaped rosebush.  Never prune to an inward- facing bud, as the new shoots will grow inwards.