As winter is running in the full steam ahead it is time to prune the Roses. June to July is probably the best time to do it. However if you do get frost in your aria you may want to wait until August.
Begin pruning Roses by cutting out any weak, spindly, criss-crossing or dead stems, shape the rose up. Look at eh diagram how to shape rose up
Cut remaining stems back to a few buds above where last year’s growth began. The topmost bud that remains after pruning should be facing outwards. New growth will come from this bud, so it’s important that it heads in a good direction.
Now stand back and take a good look at the rose. Does the remaining wood seem healthy and vigorous? Is the center of the bush nice and open so that the sun and air can get right into it? Complete any tidying up that’s necessary.
We have posted a small diagram below, on how to shape a rose and how you should make your cut.
Do not throw cuttings into the compost bin as you may spread diseases.
Some roses such us “White Ice-burg” may still flower even at this time of the year. Don’t be afraid to prune it back as it will only encourage new growth.
There are two more things to do before the job’s complete. The first is to spray the whole rose, and the soil beneath the bush, with Lime Sulfur. This will help to remove any rose scale from the stems and also destroy fungal spores that are lingering in the soil. The other task is to renew a good layer of organic mulch over the root area, taking care to avoid direct contact with the rose’s trunk.
In warm climates, before applying the mulch, spread some Dynamic Lifter Advanced for Roses or some Thrive Granular Rose Food. However, in frosty areas, it’s best to wait until the last frosts are over before feeding the roses.
