How do you prune a rose bush?

Question

I tried to prune a rose bush and it stopped growing from all the branches I pruned, and instead shot one big green stem up from the root again. What is the proper technique?

Answer 1

We only have one rose and it was already planted when we moved in, so practical experience is limited and initial shape left something to be desired. However, I followed the advice in Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening and this seems to work. It is a bit of a traditional gardening book, and a bit proscriptional ("there is only one way and it is this"), but his pruning advice for peaches also seems successful (so far!).

Anyway, he notes:

• they only bloom on new growth
• late winter is best, especially for the bush types. This maximizes new growth in time for spring
• prune climbers after their first spring blooms. The exception are the always blooming types which should be pruned lightly in winter.
• bush roses should be pruned back 50% and no more
  • remove all weak non-productive canes
  • prune strong canes by 50%, cut just above the buds that face away from the centers of the plants
  • seal cut ends with shellac or white glue (NOT black pruning sealant)

Looking at all that advice I might have half followed it. We've had more die back - perhaps I pruned too much (more than 50% some years): it sounds like you may have made the same mistake.

Also we've had more flowers when I haven't pruned - pruning every other year seems to be working well for us. I think this is because there's more new growth when I haven't pruned, because pruning will always remove new growth.

I've never sealed the ends (and can you even get shellac any more?) - disease might also account for die-back.

The following articles may also prove helpful & worth your while having a reading through:

• Roses: Care After Planting from University of Missouri Extension Office

• Pruning from University of Missouri Extension Office

• Video: Well-managed Shrub Roses from University of Illinois Extension

• Video: How to Prune Roses from University of Illinois Extension