In order for bush roses to keep their shape, one pruning per year is necessary. The right pruning at the optimal time promotes lush flowering, which can last until autumn in the case of bush roses.

In a nutshell

  • Spring is the best time to cut
  • use cleaned scissors
  • leave three eyes
  • cut vigorously when taper pruning
  • in autumn only remove faded inflorescences and infructescences

cut in spring

The best time for pruning is early spring. You should cut the bush roses from around March to April. Look out for a period when no frost is announced. It should be frost-free a few days before cutting and not freeze a few days after cutting.

If freshly cut plant tissue is exposed to frost, it can be permanently damaged. Branches then die off over a large length and must be removed.

Tip: When pruning, plan when the forsythia blooms. As a rule, the flowers only open if it remains frost-free for a long time.

Do not prune the bush roses too late. Once the flow of sap has started, you should no longer cut the roses, as they can bleed a lot, especially over larger cut surfaces, which weakens the plants.

cutting guide

tool

Use bypass scissors to cut. It has the advantage that the shoots are not crushed too much and the tissue is not damaged over a large area. This reduces the risk of the shoots dying off unplanned. Before you start cutting, clean and sharpen the blade to prevent transmission of pathogens. To do this, simply wipe the blade with a cloth that you have previously soaked in high-proof alcohol and, ideally, have a small whetstone at home.

Notice: If you switch to a new shrub, also disinfect the blade beforehand to avoid direct transmission of pathogens from plant to plant.

manual for spring pruning

  • completely remove dead shoots
  • Cut back slow-growing varieties to 15 - 20 cm
  • Prune fast-growing varieties to 30 - 40 cm
  • Make the cut at an angle
  • cut back to an outside bud
  • leave at least three eyes
  • remove weaker shoots if they cross over
  • completely remove weak shoots
  • Cut back damaged shoots to below the damaged area

With bush roses, it is also important that you always pay attention to the shape when cutting. The roses should have a bushy to hemispherical shape after pruning.

You can easily compost the clippings from healthy plants. However, if the bush rose has a disease or pests, dispose of the clippings in the residual waste.

taper cut

If you have neglected to cut the bush roses for several years, a pruning is usually necessary, which restores the vitality of the plants. How to do it:

  • Shorten shoots by at least 50 cm
  • Make the cut at an angle
  • Remove old shoots close to the ground
  • close larger injuries with tree wax

If you cut unkempt roses severely, it is generally recommended to close the interfaces afterwards. This prevents fungi or bacteria from penetrating through the interface.

cut in autumn

You can also cut the bush roses again in autumn. However, this is not a severe pruning as in spring, but merely a care cut so that the plants get through the winter well.

  • Carry out maintenance cut at the beginning of October at the latest
  • at least two weeks before the first frost
  • allows tissue regeneration around interfaces

manual for fall pruning

  1. First remove all faded inflorescences.
  2. If fruit clusters have already formed, cut them off as well. Make the cut just above the first leaf below the inflorescence or infructescence.
  3. If shoots are damaged, cut them back just below the damaged area above an eye.
  4. If shoots have dried up or died over the summer, cut them back just before the healthy part.

Notice: Avoid cutting into healthy tissue.

frequently asked Questions

Why is it important to cut back bush roses?

With a regular cut, the bush roses keep their bushy shape. In addition, the cut promotes the formation of new shoots and flowers. Regular pruning also promotes the health and vitality of the bush roses.

Can I make up the cut later?

If you don't have time to trim in spring, don't do it later in the year. Instead, get your bush roses back into shape at the right time the following year.

Can I grow new roses from the cuttings?

Yes, you can get cuttings from the pruning of the bush roses, which you can use for propagation. The cuttings should be at least 15 cm long and have three eyes. The cutting is planted at least one eye deep.

Category:

Garden plants