How to Prune Old Rose Bushes

Rose bushes should only be trimmed after they mature.

Rose bushes can add a certain vibrancy to your yard, especially since they are equated with classic beauty and emit a soft, floral fragrance. Roses themselves come in a variety of colors and sizes, ranging from tiny, pale buds to large, deeply-pigmented blossoms. Keeping your rose bushes trimmed is a good idea, especially on bushes that are mature. This keeps them from becoming overgrown, creates nice shapes and promotes healthy bushes that produce more buds.

Things You'll Need

• Garden shears

Instructions

1. Wait until your rose bush has matured to a height of three to four feet. Rose bushes do not need to be pruned until two or three years after they were planted.

2. Determine how high you want your rose bushes to stand and then prune them to this height. Use garden shears to cut down all the canes. Canes are the heavier, more wood-like branches.

3. Remove any dead or broken canes. These can be identified by peeling bark, discoloration and brittleness. Test a cane by breaking off a tiny piece of it--if it snaps off easily, remove it.

4. Cut back thin, spindly branches of the rose bush. They are less likely to produce flowers and take nutrients away from thicker, sturdier canes.

5. Shape your rose bush however you prefer with your garden shears. Some like a rounded rose bush, while others prefer a less manicured appearance.

References

• Alaska Rose Society: Pruning Mature Rose Bushes
• Rose-Roses.com: Spring Pruning of Your Roses