Pruning Roses at BRG Mississauga

Spring pruning of the rose bushes in the new rose garden at Brueckner Rhodos is nearly done. The garden builder let me take a few pictures of his pruning technique so everyone can see how to prune roses correctly.

[Note: If you are looking for pruning rhodos, not roses, volunteers do not prune them But we DO dead head spent rhododendron blooms <- pics ]

Rose Bush Pruning the 'wrong' way

The rose bush in the picture above had been pruned in the 'bowl on the head' haircut manner, meaning all the branches had been trimmed down to roughly the same level, leaving about 15 separate branches. This method makes for a neat appearance now, but does nothing for the future health and vigour of the rose bush. Here's why.

To prune roses correctly, first get down and have a close look. Check for diseased pieces -- cracks, discolored areas etc. Healthy rose branches should be green, not brown or red. Rose branches with unhealthy areas should be pruned back to the green areas. In some cases, the entire branch should be cut out.

Prune rose bush below soil line

Carefully loosen the soil around the base of the branch, checking to see if it's separate or attached to another branch. Use clean pruning shears, and make a clean cut. Discard all prunings into the trash to prevent spreading diseases.

Rose Bush After Pruning

The original 15 stems of the unpruned bush are now only 5, and two of those are doubles. It looks kind of sad, right? As if you've destroyed the whole rose bush. But what you have done is sacrifice a few weak branches so that the strongest will not only survive, but flourish.

Update June 6, 2009 Rose Bush New Growth

This photo shows the new growth on the rose bush in the photo immediately above it. It's hard to believe how much lush new growth is now showing on these bushes!

Rose Bush Properly Pruned

The above picture shows a rose bush hard or severely pruned a few days earlier. Already the few remaining branches are sprouting healthy green leaves. The plant is putting all its energy into making the strongest branches even stronger. While you may see fewer blooms this season, chances are they will be healthy and large.

Update June 6, 2009

New Growth on the 'Video Star' Rose

If you've seen the video, this rose bush is the same one, and the one in the photo above. Rob is not happy with a few of the 'iffy' branches that he had debated on pruning or leaving, but overall, it is looking pretty good!

Rodent Damage (Mice? Squirrels?) to Rose Bush

Over the winter, rodents can snack on rose bark and cause a lot of damage, that will look like the white parts on the rose bush (above photo). This rose plant is one of the most severely damaged.

Close Up of Damaged Rose Branch

The picture above shows the interior of a rose branch that has been damaged over winter. Look at each stem that you prune; most of them will show the brown color that tells you this is not a healthy stem. Occasionally, you may prune a 'good' stem, so really look at each cutting to check your proficiency.

Here's a short video of how to prune roses that was taken at Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens yesterday.

Pruning Roses
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Thanks to Rob for sharing his expertise. And his time! With hundreds of roses to prune and nurture in the new rose garden, many hands can make light work.

Today's unseasonably hot weather will have the forsythia, azaleas, rhodos and other early bloomers popping their blossoms.

If you'd like to volunteer, come by weekdays and ask for Para or Joe. They will let you know what needs doing, and where it needs to be done. Rest assured pruning roses won't be one of them :-)