Home › Introduction › Protecting the Roses: Pruning

Protecting the Roses: Pruning

In autumn extra-long canes will need to be cut back a little, and perhaps tied to a stake or support, to prevent swaying and the consequent damage to the roots. How to Use This Pruning Information Refer to pages 43 to 62 for varieties on which information is desired. Opposite each name will be The way to prune and thin found abbreviated directions for out climbing roses pruning. Illustrations herewith will further explain the instructions. The key to these directions is fully explained on this and the succeeding page. I. HARD. Thin out to the base all but from three to five shoots, and cut these back so as to leave two or three eyes on each shoot. 2. MODERATELY HARD. Thin out as No. I, and cut each shoot back to about five to ten eyes. 3. MEDIUM. Thin out as No. 1; leave four to seven shoots; shorten these shoots to about half their length. 4. SPARINGLY. Thin out as No. 1; leave four to seven shoots, which should be merely tipped. 5. THIN. No pruning required; thin out annually. 6. NONE. No pruning required; thin out every two or three years, just to keep the plant within bounds. 7. Climbing, Pillar, and all other roses that are marked 7 can be improved by thinning, when one or more of the * stems show plainly that they are old and past doing good service. This should not be necessary oftener than every three years. Kinds marked + are more likely to need it than kinds marked -. The needs of such roses as Mrs. Peary, Marechal Niel, etc., are not covered by any of the notes, where the climate is warm enough not to kill back the main stems. In this case, the branches should be trimmed so as to leave from two to ten eyes.