Pruning Climbing Roses

Pruning climbing roses is essential if you want to keep them in order and healthy. If left to grow to their heart’s desire, they can become unsightly not to mention sick. Although pruning will evidently keep them on the straight and narrow, you do need to know a follow some guidelines before starting.

A young budding rose plant should never be pruned during the first couple of years, unless it is to strictly remove any diseased growth. It is important to eliminate these right away to prevent the spread of contamination to other healthy parts of the plant. This is the time when the newly planted roses are rooting and growing strong. Guiding them along a trellis or other support frame will help them branch out and grow in the desired direction.

Once your roses have matured and have developed a strong root system, you can start to control it’s growth. The first overhaul should be done when the plant is still dormant, usually at the end of winter or very beginning of spring. Choose 4 to 6 strong healthy canes and trim back the rest. Cut as close to the ground as possible to stave off new growth. This will ensure the nutrients are concentrated on the stronger canes producing many more flowers.

Keep in mind that removing old growth and allowing new growth to take root will affect the blooms, however, you should see an abundance of flowers the following year. Summer maintenance involves removing smaller canes as they grow. As the canes mature and become unappealing, remove them to allow new growth to sprout.

These simple pruning tips will ensure your rose plants stay healthy for years to come allowing you to enjoy the fresh scents and colorful blooms all summer long.