Why Prune?
Roses need air and sunlight to prevent disease. By pruning a rose in an urn-like shape, you promote a flow of air and give leaves more exposure to sunlight.
You prune or cut dead and small stalks during a slower blooming period, generally winter.
Tools
- Clippers
- Gloves
- Small shovel
Steps
• With a small shovel, dig up soil around the bud union, the bulbous uppermost portion of the root.
• Find gray, dead stalks. Cut them out from the bud union.
• Find stalks smaller than the diameter of a pencil. Cut just on their outward-facing thorns at an angle.
For more information
Click here for more on pruning from the Seattle Rose Society.