Pruning different types of roses

1. Hybrid Tea Roses:
   • Pruning Time: Late winter or early spring.
   • Pruning Approach: Aim to create an open-centered bush with 3-5 strong canes.
   • Procedure: Start by removing dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Then, cut back the remaining canes to about 12-18 inches from the ground, just above an outward-facing bud. Remove any thin, weak canes. Finally, prune any overlapping or crossing branches to improve airflow and shape.
2. Floribunda Roses:
   • Pruning Time: Late winter or early spring.
   • Pruning Approach: Floribundas are generally pruned less aggressively than hybrid teas.
   • Procedure: Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Trim the remaining canes to about 18-24 inches from the ground, cutting just above an outward-facing bud. Remove any weak or spindly canes. Thin out crowded branches to improve airflow and allow light penetration.
3. Grandiflora Roses:
   • Pruning Time: Late winter or early spring.
   • Pruning Approach: Similar to hybrid teas, but grandifloras tend to have taller growth habits.
   • Procedure: Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Cut back the remaining canes to about 18-24 inches from the ground, just above an outward-facing bud. Remove weak or crossing canes. Maintain an open center and prune for a balanced shape.
4. Climbing Roses:
   • Pruning Time: Late winter or early spring.
   • Procedure:
     • Once-Blooming Climbers: These roses bloom on old wood, so prune only to shape and remove dead or weak canes after flowering.
     • Repeat-Blooming Climbers: Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Prune side shoots to 3-6 inches, leaving 3-5 strong canes to tie to a support structure. Remove any old or unproductive canes to make way for new growth.
     • Rambling Roses: Prune immediately after flowering, removing dead or weak wood and trimming back side shoots as needed. Allow long, flexible canes to arch and create a natural effect.
5. Shrub Roses:
   • Pruning Time: Late winter or early spring.
   • Pruning Approach: Shrub roses have varying growth habits, so pruning can differ depending on the specific variety.
   • Procedure: Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Trim the remaining canes to maintain a balanced shape, keeping in mind the growth habit of the particular shrub rose. Some varieties require minimal pruning, while others benefit from more aggressive pruning to stimulate new growth and blooming.

Remember, these guidelines provide a general approach to pruning different types of roses, but it’s essential to consider the specific growth habit and flowering pattern of each rose variety. Observe your roses, adapt the pruning techniques as needed. Happy pruning!