The second half of winter is the best time for pruning most rose shrub varieties in the mild winters typical of a Mediterranean climate. The purpose of pruning however, is not always clear to the home gardener. “Well it’s what roses need isn’t” – is a common remark. There are in fact two main reasons for giving your roses a good annual prune.

Better Flowers

Flower buds that develop on the new growth that sprouts from a pruning cut are likely to be more numerous and of better quality than from those flower buds that open on old wood. Moreover, the flowers should be more or less at eye level, as opposed to a bush that is not pruned. In the latter case, especially after the passing of a few years, the flowers tend to be at a height that reduces their visual effect and significance.

Removing Old Growth

The second reason for pruning is to pave the way for juvenile branches to develop by the removal of old or aging wood. Providing there are a number of new limbs growing, one or two old branches can be cut down as far as the bud union. This has the additional effect of exposing the bud union to direct sunlight, thereby inducing fresh buds to sprout and develop into young branches.

Similarly, removing week and thin branches directs the plant’s energy into the young branch tissue, and therefore, a few weeks later, into the flowers. Removing the tangle of thorns and branches, allows more light into the center of the bush, with the afore-mentioned effect of encouraging, young, healthy, and vibrant tissue.

Extending the Roses’ “Shelf Life”

Overall, pruning probably does not extend the life of the plant. In fact if anything, it may well result in reducing it. However, as gardeners, we are concerned with the quality of the plant’s existence, and the contribution it makes to the beauty of the garden. In this regard, the annual pruning of most rose varieties increases the years by which they perform satisfactorily.

Warning

Just be careful that your roses are not those species that flower on the growth that originated in the previous spring. If pruned in the winter they simply will not bloom later as the flower buds will have removed!