When to Cut Back Roses in California
Roses are perennials that grow as flowering shrubs or trailing plants. Varieties range from miniature roses reaching only 6 inches in height to trailing roses with canes over 20 feet long. California gardeners typically cut back roses, regardless of variety, at planting, again during bloom season and in deep winter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Planting
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A newly planted or transplanted rose is cut back to 4 to 6 inches from the ground. This hard pruning diverts plant energy from existing foliage into developing a sturdy root system and healthy new branches.
Blooming
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Roses should be deadheaded through the growing season. Some gardeners remove the faded rose and stem down to the first five-leaf foliage. Other gardeners nip off the rose right below the flower head. Both methods encourage reblooming. In California's temperate zones, roses may flower through winter.
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Winter
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A rose needs a dormant period to rest and rejuvenate. Mild California winters often do not provide enough cold weather for natural dormancy. In January, the rose is often forced into a dormant period by cutting back main branches and stripping off foliage. The rose rests for a few weeks before emerging from its winter nap.
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References
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