Gardening Tips: pruning roses...

[Miranda]

I prune roses in late February in these parts. I prune the bush to 1/3 it's size.

Thx for the tip... we live in the midwest. February, start of March, would seem right as the thaw starts to come for spring. I will ask next time I stop at the shop for sure in our area.

First off, what a lovely memorial to your fur-baby.

Now, I'm not Luther Burbank (though I grew up in his town) but my Mom taught me this about roses and pruning in general:

You're right that pruning roses is a seasonal thing. Around here most do it in February. Ask your gardener when is right for you.

What I was told is first (and this is true of all pruning, whether fruit tree, rose, whatever) trim back all dead or diseased growth.

Then with what's left my Mom prunes anything that's heading in. Think of wanting the bush or tree to grow up and out. Anything that's crossing over each other, trending to grow inward, cut it.

I can't easily describe where you cut, that you'll need to watch someone.

Then with the remaining branches you cut the rose back pretty severely. The pruned bush resembles a cupped hand, fingers turned up.

I find pruning very meditative, and with this what a great way to remember your pet.

I think this usually happens around the time you'd mulch heavily to protect from the weather too.

Ask your gardener to recommend the right shears. For now you water, feed appropriately and dead head. That is when blooms start to fail, take them off. This may encourage more blooms.

DEAD HEAD!!! That is what the shop girl meant I think now by the ongoing cutting of the bush. No wonder why I couldn't figure out why all the of pruning hits on google didn't advise to cut more than the yearly event. I appreciate all of the advice on exactly how to prune. I just don't want to kill the bush.

Wow... sounds like your mother was quite a great gardener. Sure your own garden is beautiful. I agree about the meditation. The repitition of pedaling soothes my soul, and there is just something about working with the hands that does it too.

Thx for the thoughts about my furbaby. The bush is planted right next to here favorite spot on the patio she used for sunbathing. It was funny... first time a squirrel sprinted off the patio (usually she chased them away from the bird feeder) it ran straight into her rose bush. I thought, well, that's befitting... even in spirit, she's still giving the squirrels a hard time.