Cutting English roses

Cutting roses correctly – How to make them bloom more beautifully and stay healthy

A targeted rose pruning is crucial for healthy growth, abundant bloom and a long service life Your roses. Whether in spring, summer, or with older shrubs – with the right pruning, you promote vitality, blooms, and a harmonious growth habit.

Spring pruning – the most important pruning in the rose year

The Spring pruning occurs as soon as the Forsythias bloom – this is the most reliable sign that no more severe frosts are to be expected. Now:

• Floribunda roses cut back to 3–5 strong shoots and 3–5 buds per shoot
• shrub roses slightly thinned and shortened to about 40–60 cm
• Climbing roses only slightly shortened; old, rotten wood can be removed
• English roses lightly to moderately cut, depending on variety and location

Important: Always diagonally above an outward-facing eye cut – this way the rose grows nicely and airily outwards.




Summer pruning – for a second bloom

At the Summer cut are regularly Remove faded and weak shootsThis saves energy and encourages many varieties to second flowering in late summer Also Wild instincts from the rootstock should be removed immediately – they rob the noble variety of nutrients and space.




Rejuvenation pruning – bringing older roses back into shape

Old, aged rose bushes benefit from a stronger Rejuvenation pruning in late winter or early spring. This includes:

• very old, dead or too densely spaced shoots removed close to the ground
• leave younger, vital shoots as the new basic structure
• For heavily woody shrubs, cut back max. ⅓ of the plant

The result: new shoots, better ventilation and more flowering power.




Cutting roses – the most important tips at a glance:

• Use sharp, clean rose scissorsto produce smooth cutting surfaces
• Cut always over one eye facing outwards
• Remove diseased or dead wood completely
• Choose the right time: Spring for structure, summer for flowering, late winter for rejuvenation
• Don’t be afraid of the cut – Roses tolerate cutting and regenerate well



Conclusion:

Regular, well-executed rose pruning strengthens your roses, promotes healthy new growth and ensures a lush, long-lasting bloom – Year after year.

Instructions: How to prune roses correctly – step by step

1. Spring pruning (main pruning)

Time: If the Forsythias bloom (usually March–April)

Goal: Building the plant, promoting vitality, removing dead wood

What to do:

• Remove dead and frozen wood
• Cutting edge all shoots except 3–5 eyes (for floribunda roses)
• shrub roses shorten by 1/3 to 1/2
• Climbing roses only thin out, possibly remove old shoots
• Always diagonally above an outward-facing eye cut




2. Summer pruning (maintenance pruning)

Time: After the first flowering, during the growing season (May–August)

Goal: Stimulate second flowering, keep plant in shape

What to do:

• Cut off faded flower heads
• Remove weak or disturbing shoots
• Wild shoots (usually under the grafting point) separate immediately
• Keep the plant airy, but do not cut back too much
• 
  

Rejuvenation pruning (radical pruning of old roses)

Time: Late winter to early spring (February–March)

Goal: Revitalizing old, aging rose bushes

What to do:

• Remove old, thick, sparsely flowering wood close to the ground
• Lasse 2–3 vital basic drives stand
• Shorten remaining shoots 40–60 cm
• Remove all wood growing inwards
• Only necessary every 3–5 years




Basic rules for all rose cuttings

Always with sharp, clean scissors work
Obliquely above an outward-facing eye cut
Do not cut in frost
No fear: Roses forgive a lot!