Roses of Another Stripe
Last week we talked about pruning hybrid tea roses. (Archived at www.adv-marketing/business/frtest.htm ) But, there are lots of roses in our gardens that aren't hybrid teas and they require a different approach to pruning.
Old Garden Roses (OGRs) or David Austin Roses should NOT be pruned for two years. When they are mature, remove dead or diseased canes and branches in late winter or early spring. Prune to shape the plant but not aggressively. These roses benefit by deadheading all the old blooms. Deadheading spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more. Once the blossom sets seed (hips), the plant stops producing blooms since its purpose has been met.
Floribundas generally are smaller, with thinner stems and canes. These are the roses that produce their blooms in sprays rather than as individual flowers. Just prune lightly each year, shaping the plant and removing dead material. They benefit from deadheading during the season, too.
Climbers can be a pain (literally) to prune. Canes on climbers can be 6 to 30 feet long. Usually they are tied to trellis or fence. Since canes die after several years of blooming, you may have to remove some very long and awkward canes. Still, it is necessary to maintain the production and appearance of the plant. Do this in the winter, deadhead in the summer. The best time to secure the canes is in the fall.
Minis or miniature roses generally require very little pruning. You will want to remove the winter damage by cutting back any dead tips in the spring. There is not a lot of plant material on most minis so prune very lightly. Deadhead, of course.
Tree Roses are a special case. In late fall, you will want to prune the tips to 6 inches. Do it now if you haven't already done it. While you are at it, select the best 6 evenly-spaced branches. Remove all other ones. Come summer prune lightly to maintain balance and shape.
Remember, you really can't kill your rose by pruning. Prune to outward facing little red bumps that will grow into stems during the season. Angle your cut so as to provide a sloping surface with the high side on the bud side. With your finger, remove all the little buds growing toward the middle of the bush.
Local rose societies often have pruning demonstrations around this time of year and you may want to attend one. Still, as you have read, it is pretty simple. Have fun.
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David Soper, The Garden Guy, writes and lectures on gardening topics. Read more on his website, Adventures in Gardening, www.gardenguy.com