LATE WINTER PRUNING

Late Winter Pruning

It is hard to define exactly when to prune, depending on the severity of the winter, but it should be done at a point when the rose is showing the first signs of growth, normally in January or February; David Austin suggests you should have finished pruning by March. This is also a good time to fertilise the plant and put a mulch of compost around the base of the rose.

Shrub Roses

In its first year:

A newly planted shrub rose will need little intervention in its first year because it is concentrating on creating an efficient root system.

• Prune the stems back by 8-12cm (3-5in)
• Cut out any dead, diseased or damaged wood, as well as any crossing or weak stems
• Remove any remaining foliage and place it with all the bits of pruning in recycling

In its second year:

• Cut all stems back by a third
• Cut out any dead, diseased or damaged wood, as well as any crossing or weak stems
• Remove any remaining foliage and place it with all the bits of pruning in recycling

In its third year:

The rose will now be established so you can decide on the size you wish it to be (tall, medium or small), depending on variety and site, and prune it accordingly.

• Make a gauge of the size you want using a piece of bamboo which can be stuck into the ground by the base of the rose to act as a guide so that each stem can be cut to the same height
• Cut out any dead, diseased or damaged wood, as well as any crossing or weak stems
• Remove any remaining foliage and place it with all the bits of pruning in recycling

In its fourth year, and every following year:

• Follow guidance for year three.