How do I Prune Roses in Southern California?
Roses are graceful, traditional additions to any garden. The rose family offers a wide range of flower colors and sizes, blooming habits and growth formations, and may thrive and outgrow an entire area with the right care. Plant roses in full sun and use plenty of compost, quick-draining soil and fertilizer to nurture the plants through their spring and summer growing season. In winter, protect the plants and take care of some pruning important to spring and summer blooms. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Winterize rose bushes in late fall, and perform your first pruning then. After roses stop blooming and begin to lose their foliage, cut back any spent blooms, dead or diseased foliage, and prominent canes. Cut long canes down to 2 to 4 feet to give them more protection in the winter.
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Mulch your roses with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch after the second or third hard frost. In Southern California, this may occur as late as November, and may prove unnecessary in some of the warmer areas of the state. Southern California roses don't require any further winter protection.
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Prune roses back aggressively in early spring to promote blooming early summer. In Southern California, where spring comes as early as March, prune rose bushes in late January or early February. Cut off any canes that were broken during winter storms, and canes that grow through the center of the bush or rub against other canes. Cut off shoots that are spindly or growing crooked. Thin the canes in crowded areas to open the bush up to air and sun, which promote growth and blooming. Keep in mind that roses bushes should be roughly vase-shaped, and prune and trim outer canes for shape at the end of your pruning session. Make all your cuts at a 45-degree angle to help the rose bush heal.
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References
- Photo Credit Jardins de Villandry - Rose jaune et rose image by albillottet from Fotolia.com
