How to prune roses

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Keen to learn how to prune roses like a pro? Now is the perfect time to get to work.

With more than 100 species and counting, the rose is one of the most popular flowers across the globe and mid-winter is the best time to prune them, when the plants are fully dormant, before they begin vigorous new growth in spring. In practice, that means:

Best timing

• Late June through mid-July (mid-winter):
  This is the traditional and widely recommended window for heavy or hard pruning of roses in much of New Zealand, including the south and Canterbury region.
• Up to early August:
  In slightly cooler years or further south (cold spots), gardeners often extend the pruning window into August to avoid cutting before the coldest weather has passed.

Why this timing

• Roses are dormant in winter, so pruning then encourages strong, healthy new canes in spring rather than interrupting growth or exposing tender new shoots to frost.
• Pruning too early (before dormancy) can stimulate growth that may be damaged by frost; too late (once new buds swell) can reduce flowering potential.

How to prune

• Remove dead, diseased, or crossing wood first.
• Cut back to healthy buds and shape the bush for good air circulation.
• Use clean, sharp tools and consider a post-prune spray fungicide to reduce disease.
• Choose a day without frost or rain, which will ensure that the cuts will have a better chance of healing without infection.”

Other pruning tips

• Deadheading (removing spent blooms) can be done throughout the growing season to encourage more flowers.
• Some types of roses, such as ramblers, may have specific timing rules; if unsure, check the variety you have.