How to Prune Rose Bushes

Roses are a beautiful addition to any garden or landscaping. They come in a variety of colors and blooms from single stalk varieties to rose bushes. There are also many hybrid roses that have become very popular over the last few years. Growing roses and rose bushes isn't difficult if you have a game plan. They are not the type of plant that can be left alone to grow. They must be tended to in order to get the gorgeous blooms that you want. One of the most important things you can do to encourage blooming is to prune the roses and rose bushes regularly. How do you do that? Well here is everything you need to know about how to prune roses and rose bushes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rose bushes or plants
• Pruning Shears
• Gloves

1. The first step is put on gloves. If you are a very experienced gardener, you may opt to skip the gloves. However, gloves provide much needed protection from prickly thorns that grow on all roses and rose bushes.

2. Next look for current blooms that are dying. Once blooms start to dry out and turn brown it's time to prune them off.

3. Starting at the base of the dead bloom itself, start looking at the stem until you find a new bud. These are very small green nubs that project out from the stem. They are very hard to see so look carefully. Ideally you want to locate a bud that is facing out from the plant, towards the sun.

4. Using the pruning shears, make a quick sharp cut directly above the new bud at a 45 degree angle.

5. Once you have pruned off all of the dead and dying blooms, look for other areas of the plant that are not thriving. Particularly shoots that have never produced blooms, or that have brown sections on them. Prune these off as well.

6. Now trim the plant to keep the shape. Remove any limbs that are hanging over into walkways or otherwise growing into other plants.

7. Water thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Pruning actually encourages growth in roses and rose bushes, so don't be afraid that you will kill the plant.
• Don't be afraid to cut off too much. Sometimes you will take off an entire shoot or limb. Trust me it will grow back