when should you trim your rose bushes for the winter?

Question

Also, what is the correct way to trim/prune them so that the roses will come back next year?

Answer 1

Dead, diseased or damaged wood on any rose should be removed as soon as it is seen.
"But save the major pruning for the spring."
http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/1996/093096.html

Dead-heading is a form of summer or day-to-day pruning. The standard recommendation is to cut the flower stem back to an outward-facing bud above a five-leaflet or seven-leaflet leaf.
The University of Illinois Extension illustrates how to prune on their site & states:
"Flowers should not be cut after October 1 to allow the plant to begin hardening off for the winter."
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/prune.html

The type of rose determines how & when you prune it. Hybrid Teas, Floribundas & Grandifloras are usually pruned two weeks to a month before the expected last killing frost in the spring. Or wait until the forsythias start to bloom as a good signal for the pruning season to begin.
"Heavy annual pruning is done in the spring, just as the buds break dormancy. This could be mid-to late February near the coast to mid-April in the mountains. The best way to judge when to prune is to look at the buds; when they begin to swell, go ahead and prune."
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1173.htm

The Ramblers flowers are formed on year old canes, which should be cut back to within 2-3 inches of their base when they are finished blooming. Climbers don't like hard pruning & should be trimed only lightly in early spring. Miniature roses need very little pruning. Just prune them to the desired shape. Cut any new shoots which have emerged from below the soil line to about 1/2 its length. When the branches finish flowering, cut them back to a new outward facing bud.

In the spring, prune hybrid tea roses to create a somewhat cup shaped plant by removing center stems, and branches pointing inwards. This will admit more light and fresh air, and help to prevent mildew and disease. Cut the remaining stems to about 1/2 of their original length, leaving the stronger stems longer than the younger, thin ones. Hard pruning will result in fewer long stemmed blooms than light pruning, but if it necessary you can cut some of the older stems back to within 6 inches of the base.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pruningroses.htm

New plants are especially sensitive to leaf loss, so take only short stems along with the blooms during the first year(if you want cut flowers). For more established plants with a lot of foliage, cutting longer stems with the flower isn't a problem. Sucker growth (stems which originate from below the budding union) should always be removed at their point of origin no matter which type of rose. Pruning cuts should be made at a 45 degree angle 1/4 to 1/2 inch above an outward facing bud. You can use Elmers glue on cuts.
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/cass/horticulture/inform/flowers/cut.htm

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

In my area of NZ I prune my roses late winter, July/August. You dont want to do it too early as it may encourage soft new growth and this could get hit by late frosts.
Cut out any dieased/damaged wood and spindly growth. Then look at shape of bush, on average you want to retain 5 canes to retain the symentry
How hard to prune? The more vigourous the bush the harder I prune ie Alexander & Loving Memory can grow about a metre or more and I would prune about 300/500mm above ground. Less vigourous roses I prune higher
All pruning cuts should be made at a 45 dg angle just above an outward facing bud. Angle should be away from the bud
Have a go
Even if you do nothing they will still flower although the quality and shape of bush wont be as good

Answer 3

It will depend on where you live as to when you would prune them. Here in S. Calif. we usually wait until January but in the colder areas where you get snow you would do it before the frost hits.
I prune mine just above 5 leaves. You can cut them very low or leave them taller. I usually cut mine about a foot tall and I have lots of roses every year. Be sure to mulch them about 3" to protect the roots.
In the early spring or when danger of frost is over, fertilize them and change the mulch.

Answer 4

Wait until late winter to do your pruning. The link under Sources is one of the best we've found on pruning roses.

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Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!