How to Prune Old Climbing Roses
Climbing roses are rapid growers that produce long vertical canes rather than bushing out along the ground. Because of their long canes, they are typically grown along arbors, fences or other sturdy support structures. Prune old climbing roses once per year to encourage healthy growth and budding the following spring. In addition, minor weekly pruning is required during the summer to prevent the climbing rose from taking over the landscape. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Water the soil under the old climbing rose thoroughly at least one day before pruning it. This will help the rose recover more quickly after the pruning is complete.
-
2
Put on gardening gloves to protect your hands from the rose thorns.
-
-
3
Look for any canes that are brown or yellow, meaning that they are dead. Cut them off as close to the ground as possible using loppers.
-
4
Look for one of the longest and thickest canes, which is an older cane. Trace it down to where it emerges from the soil or from the main stem of the rose. Look for a raised, circular area near the base, called the bud union, and cut the stem straight across 1/4-inch above it using loppers.
-
5
Repeat the process to prune off one-third of the remaining oldest canes from the climbing rose.
-
6
Examine the canes that grow out horizontally. Identify smaller shoots that have grown on these canes and prune the shoots back to between 4 and 6 inches using hand pruners. Locate a bud facing away from the plant and make the cut 1/4-inch above it at a 45-degree angle. The angle should slope down toward the inside of the rose plant.
-
7
Prune the wilted flowers off climbing roses that bloom repeatedly throughout the summer. Make the cut with hand pruners just above the first set of five leaves. Angle the cut at a 45-degree angle that slopes down toward the inside of the rose plant.
-
8
Rake up all of the canes that you pruned off and dispose of them in the garbage or the compost pile.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If your climbing rose only blooms once in the spring, prune it in the late spring just after the flowers fade.
If your climbing rose blooms continuously throughout the summer, prune it in the very early spring.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
