Winter is the best time to prune roses to set up bountiful blooms later in the year. This annual task is crucial for overall rose health--from stimulating vigorous growth to preventing common fungal diseases.
While most modern roses need winter pruning, hold off on varieties like rambling roses, climbing roses or once-blooming heritage roses, which flower on last year’s wood.
Winter pruning these varieties will remove this season’s blooms, so wait until after spring bloom.
Not sure? If your rose only flowers once per year in spring, wait to prune until after flowering. Modern repeat-flowering roses can follow standard winter pruning schedules.
Check with our local rose societies for specific recommendations for your rose variety, and read the resources below for more details about how to prune roses.
Resources
Pruning Roses and Cultivating Beauty
Tips for confident rose pruning