Pruning now encourages the plant to direct energy into producing stronger stems and bigger flowers – just what you want from your roses. It will also improve air flow to the centre of the plant, reducing the risk of mildew and black spot, plus it’s a chance to reshape and control the size of your plant. Bush roses, such as hybrid tea and floribunda roses, will benefit from a hard prune, often down to 20-40cm, while shrub and climbing roses require a lighter prune, mainly to shape the plant.
HOW TO PRUNE: This will depend on the type of rose you have – but generally, prune when buds start to swell but before leaves fully open. Remove dead, diseased or crossing canes. Take the cane you want to prune and make a 45-degree cut just above a nodule or bud. Feed lightly after pruning, increasing feed once the growth spurt begins. Don’t compost any diseased branches.
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