How do I shape prune roses in the fall?Updated a month ago

Fall shape pruning and tidying up your rose beds will ensure your roses are primed for a winter nap and a successful spring. With the late fall and winter months approaching, we know that wind, rain, and stormy weather are just around the corner. High winds can wreak havoc on our roses, causing their canes to snap or thrash together. If your rose plants are top-heavy, they might even act like sails, uprooting themselves from the ground if you have loose soil! Thrashing canes also leads to rose thorns creating wounds on their neighboring canes. These wounds are the ideal entry point for diseases to make their way into a rose. To prevent this, it's crucial to trim up your rose plants in the fall in all growing zones. (Yes, even in warm climate zones like 9 & 10!)

Not all roses need shape pruning, but it's especially beneficial for those tall hybrid teas or wild English shrubs that can grow seven to eight feet high. A good rule of thumb is to trim them down to a height that's between your waist and shoulders or roughly about 1/3 of the length of the towering cane. This not only helps prevent cane breakage and keeps the plants looking tidy and manageable but also helps make it easier for cool climate growers to perform winterization prep on their roses.

We often get the follow-up question: “How many inches should I cut off? How many canes should I trim? Your instructions seem vague!” The truth is, you shouldn't focus too much on a precise measurement - our instructions are vague for a reason. Shaping is more of an art than a science. It involves removing what is too tall and tidying up the unruly canes that have emerged throughout the season. This trimming will be slightly different for each plant you are sculpting. Trust your instincts as a gardener; if a cane looks tall enough to risk damage in winter conditions, trim it down! It won't harm the plant, and in fact, it will promote its health in the long run. You can check out a video of Felicia on Instagram, where she demonstrates a quick shape pruning session in our field.

After you've pruned, don't forget the importance of cleaning up your beds! Clear away all leaves and plant material around the base of the rose. This step is vital in preventing diseases and insects from overwintering on your roses. Leaving debris or leaves around can create a cozy little home for pests & diseases, and we definitely don't want that. We like to use a trusty leaf blower and a good rake to make clean-up a breeze. Make sure to dispose of any debris in the trash rather than composting it. This fall bed clean-up will help reduce disease pressure and insect hiding spots, giving your roses a healthy start for the spring season.

For those of you living in colder areas (zones 3-7), it's also time to think about winter protection for your roses! Be sure to check out this article for tips on when to protect your roses and some different methods for keeping them safe and warm while they take their winter rest. Stock up on Felicia's favorite must-have materials for winter protection now - chicken wire, twine, compost, and frost cloths - so you're ready when the cold and snow roll in. Your roses will thank you for your forethought!