Why should I dormant prune my roses?Updated 2 months ago

Pruning is like giving your roses a rejuvenating spa treatment. By trimming away the old and dead parts, you revitalize your plants, creating room for fresh, vibrant growth in the spring. Dormant pruning is essential to perform once a year for maintaining healthy, productive roses by removing weak, dead, or diseased wood, allowing the plant to direct energy toward vigorous new growth.

Since roses bloom on new wood, pruning encourages fresh shoots, leading to more abundant and healthier flowers. It also improves air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew and black spot while preventing pests from overwintering. It helps maintain the plant's shape, preventing it from becoming overgrown or leggy. Additionally, cutting back older, less productive canes rejuvenates the plant, ensuring long-term vitality and continuous blooming.

Pruning also allows you to tailor your roses for specific goals. Are you aiming for a stunning landscape display or growing immaculate blooms for a cut flower garden? Knowing your purpose helps guide your approach too. Consider what you're growing for—beauty in the garden landscape, cut flower production, or a vibrant hand picked bouquet—then prune accordingly to achieve the best results.