How to Prune a Climbing Rose in the Spring
Early spring is the best time for pruning roses in most growing zones. However, many gardeners are under the wrong impression when it comes to pruning climbing roses in the spring. Some believe climbing roses shouldn't be pruned at all, while others prune their climbing roses with the same zeal they apply to hybrids or floribundas. The experts at Humeseeds.com suggest that climbing roses should be pruned in the spring, but caution against cutting too much of the plant away. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Identify the main cane on your climbing rose. Spread open the plant and divide the surplus canes evenly on each side of the main cane.
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Choose four or six of the younger, green canes to keep. Loosely tie a bright ribbon or piece of yarn around these canes so you can continue to identify them when you begin pruning.
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Remove the unwanted canes by cutting them completely off at the ground with your garden shears.
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Prune the main cane to height. Cut off the tips of the main cane so that it fits on the trellis or structure it is growing on but do not cut it back too severely or you will not have blooms until the next year.
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Trim any secondary growth that has developed from the main cane. Use your shears to cut the secondary growth back to the second bud on the stem, making the secondary stems about 2 or 3 inches long. Secondary growth is defined as the lateral branches that grow off the main cane.
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Tips & Warnings
Humeseeds.com suggests making all cuts just above a bud that is growing on the outside of the stem. This way, the new growth will point outward toward the light and reduce crowding in the center of the plant.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rose image by Oleg Sviridov from Fotolia.com
