How to Prune Bare Root Roses

Yearly pruning right before your location's growing season is essential to the health of your bare root roses. Often, bare root roses are purchased pre-pruned, but once planted and growing they require the same maintenance and attention as the rest of your roses.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bypass pruners
• Gardening gloves
• Shovel

1. Prune all of the weak canes by cutting them off at their point of origin.

2. Prune all canes that are growing toward the center of the plant at their point of origin. These canes are often referred to as cross-over canes.

3. Prune all canes that are growing adjacent to stronger canes. Remove these canes at their point of origin. These canes are often referred to as redundant canes.

4. Prune down all main canes. Do this with your bypass shears by pruning the cane at a 45-degree angle about an inch above the lowest outward-facing leaf bud.

5. Remove all suckers. Suckers on a bare root rose are canes that emerge form below the base of the plant. You may need to dig away at the dirt to get to the base of the sucker.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not be afraid to over-prune your rose bush.
• Prune off all dead or dying branches.