When to Cut Back Roses for Beautiful Blooms Every Year, According to Gardening Experts

Many flowers in your garden won't require shaping or pruning, but roses benefit greatly from being cut back. These classic perennials reawaken each spring after the dormant season, filling the garden with color and beauty. Pruning is essential to ensure that your roses stay healthy and prolific. While knowing how to prune your roses the right way is important, it's equally important to do it at the right time. Below, our experts explain when to cut back roses for the best success.

When to Cut Back Roses

Roses should be cut back in late winter or early spring while they are still dormant. "Pruning stems at this time promotes fresh shoots to emerge from the base of the plant to ensure a strong framework and maximize flower production," says author and landscape designer Jan Johnsen.

When Not to Cut Back Roses

Roses are fairly resilient, so there is some wiggle room for when you can prune. Still, there are some times when it's better to hold off on cutting back. "I would not recommend pruning roses in late summer or after Labor Day," says gardening author and podcast host Teri Speight. "Pruning in the fall or winter can often stimulate growth that will not harden off if the temperature is low enough or a hard freeze happens." 

Also, avoid pruning roses too close to the last frost date in your area in case of an unexpected hard freeze. "Pruning too early in the spring leaves a rose bush vulnerable to extremely cold temperatures as well as winter winds. If we observe, nature will guide us in what is required for proper garden care," says Speight. It's best to wait until you see some new growth, typically in February, depending on your region.

Benefits of Cutting Back Roses

Cutting back roses has numerous benefits. "Pruning roses is highly recommended because not only does it promote larger blooms and helps to control the size of the plant, but it helps to control disease and fungal infections," says Johnsen. Here are some of the benefits of cutting back roses, according to experts.

• Improved structure: Pruning allows you to control the shape and size of your plants so they fit the aesthetics of your garden.
• Prevents winter damage: Pruning long canes helps prevent damage from heavy winter snows if you live in a region with harsh winters.
• Reduced friction: Removing crossing branches helps prevent damage from the branches rubbing together.
• Improved airflow: Cutting away excess foliage improves airflow and helps prevent moisture issues.
• Healthier blooms: Pruning promotes larger, more prolific blooms.

Tips for Cutting Back Roses

Keep these tips in mind when cutting back roses to ensure healthy, prolific blooms every spring.

Prune Diseased Branches

When you prune roses may vary if your plant is suffering from a disease. Depending on the type and severity, it may be necessary to prune away the diseased areas of the rose bush immediately, regardless of the time of year. This prevents roses from expending unnecessary energy fighting the disease and also keeps it from spreading.

"Pruning any stems showing signs of disease also helps maintain rose health," says Speight. Botrytis blight (a type of mold), canker, powdery mildew, and other rose diseases can be pruned away, but you have to be careful to disinfect your pruners afterward or you might spread it between bushes. 

Know the Type of Rose Before Pruning

Understand the type of rose bush you have before pruning it. "Knowing what type of rose you have will determine re-bloom or not," says Speight. "Many heirloom roses will bloom in the spring after which shaping is essential. Hybrid roses often will re-bloom once they have been pruned."

Remove Crossing Branches

When pruning your rose bushes, always cut back central wood where canes are crossing over each other. When crossing canes rub against one another, they can cause scars that leave your plant susceptible to infections. Removing central canes improves air circulation.