A brief guide to pruning roses

Cutting back rose bushes promotes new growth and reduces the risk for fungal diseases. Here’s what you should know. When to prune

Most types of rose plants should be cut back in the spring after the last hard frost but before the leaf buds bloom. The ideal time to prune ro ses depends on where you live, but it generally falls between midMarch and the end of May.

How to prune

Be sure to wear thick gardening glo ves and a heavy long-sleeve shirt to protect yourself from thorns. Using a clean, sharp bypass pruner or lopper, remove: • Dead, damaged and diseased bran ches at the base or a healthy spot on the stem

• Branches that cross or create too much congestion in the middle of the plant • Suckers growing around the base and any branches that are thinner than a pencil You can also cut back healthy branches to give the plant a more appealing shape. Just remember to make cuts at a 45-degree angle so water doesn’t pool on the stem.

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