When is the best time to trim/cut back rose bushes?

Answer 1

General pruning can be done anytime during the growing season and then heavy pruning late Autumn.

General Pruning:
You do this to remove any dead or dying canes or spent flowers. You need to pick a set of five leaves, but not necessarily the first set. Pick a set of five that are pointing outward because that will be the direction of a new cane and flowers. If you choose one pointing inward then your canes can cross and will cause other problems. Cut the cane at an angle like this (/) about 1/4" above the five leaf set. It is okay to do this with each cane and especially if the cane is dying. It is also okay to do this throughout the growing season because it promotes new growth. Also, it is important to seal any pruned cane the size of a pencil or larger with white glue to protect the wound and promote faster healing.

Autumn Pruning:
Any time between the first freeze of Autumn and the last freeze of winter you can seriously prune your rose down to about 2 feet. This will create a fuller, lusher plant for the new season. Once again you will want to cut at an angle. However, instead of cutting above a five leaf set, this time you will want to cut right above a node which will resemble a small, reddish, slightly pointed bump on the cane. Like the five leaf set, make sure the node is pointing outward.

http://www.bayeradvanced.com/article/how-to-prune-hybrid-tea-roses.html?source=google
Video from Expert Village on how to prune a rose:
http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/videos/deadheading-roses.htm

Answer 2

It depends where you live.
In colder zones (Zone 5 & 6) where the stem (or even the plant) may die if not protected. To make it manageable for protective coverings the plant has to be cut to manageable size in fall. Then some general pruning in spring if required to remove dead stems or other unwanted stems for better air circulation. In other zones where the plant does not need protective coverings after dormancy, pruning can be done in the fall or spring without much difference to its well being next growing season. General pruning can be done throughout the growing season to size the bush for the desired growth pattern etc (tall or dense bushy).

Answer 3

I prefer fall. My mom (a registered Master Gardener) prefers spring after the last frost. I am not sure that it makes a significant difference.

Search on: "trimming roses" for more opinions.

Answer 4

In zone 8 roses are cut back in February.

Answer 5

Spring is the best time, from everything I've read. The canes help protect your roses during the winter, as does "hilling up". Also, in the spring, you can see which canes need to be removed completely because they will be discoloured and which canes need only be shortened.

Answer 6

I usually do my major pruning at the end of fall, and then just tip the branches in early spring.

Answer 7

definatly just after flowering has stopped

Answer 8

Before the first freeze, so I've been told! :)