what is the proper season and method to prune a rose bush?

Answer 1

I am constantly amazed by people's answers here.

It depends in what part of the country you are as to when you prune your roses. Here in SoCal we prune in Jan(and Feb if we haven't finished). In colder parts of the country they get a good whack sometime in Spring.

Check out the consulting rosarians in your area from the American Rose Society link below. I am one in CA.

Answer 2

The first pruning of the year should take place near Valentine's Day. Prune your bush to 12-14 inches high. Prune out the center branches and those crossing other branches. Make your cuts just above an outward and about 1/2 inch above the bud. Also cut out all dead wood. Then as the bush blooms you can cut the flower stem just above the first 5 leaf bud and prune the bush for shape any time.

If you switch to Earthkind roses you don't have to worry about pruning, spraying, fertilizing, etc. Just plant properly and water.

Answer 3

best time is at the end of their dormancy just before buds begin to swell. Prune on an angle so that the growth is away from middle of bush. Take out any that would cross another branch and any old branches. Roses bloom differently some on new growth and some on last years, so be careful. Hope this helps

Answer 4

Follow the guidance above, but don't worry too much. It's really hard to kill a rose bush. You can prune it down to the stump, and it will come back next year.

Answer 5

As our rosarians say "in the garden of benign neglect the rose still blooms." You can go talk to members of the rose society or you can do as they other posters said. Roses are tolerant creatures.
There are pages you can look at that give details. http://seattlerosesociety.org/rosecare/prune.html
http://www.rosemagazine.com/articles04/rose_pruning_cuts/
http://www.pickeringnurseries.com/tw/Web_store/pruning.htm