When And How To Prune Roses | Armstrong Garden Centers

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Submit Find My Store Menu Newsletter Rose Pruning

When Do You Prune Roses

January and February are the best months to prune roses in California. Rose plants have dropped their foliage and their sap thickens to protect the plant from freezing temperatures. Essentially, the rose is hibernating, or dormant, and reserves its nutrients deep within the core of the branches. Since the rose plant is sleeping, it's the perfect time to prune roses before it wakes up for spring and pushes out new growth.

5 Easy Steps

How to Prune a Rose Bush

1. Using a clean, sharp Corona Aluminum Bypass Pruner and wearing Boss Guardian Angel extended sleeve gloves remove dead or damaged canes as well as small, twiggy ones.
2. Only prune above the bud union. Remove canes that are growing towards the center of the shrub to create an open "vase" shape.
3. Cut back remaining canes by about two-thirds. Make cuts just above an outward-facing leave node. Treat cane cuts with Bonide Pruning Sealer.
4. Remove all leaves from the remaining canes. Gather leaves to prevent the spread of any diseases or bugs.
5. Once new growth reaches 1-inch, feed with E.B Stone Food.

What You'll Need

for the best results when pruning your roses

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