July is an ideal time to prune roses. Below is how we approach pruning across our rose collection.
Rose Types
Hybrid Tea & Floribunda (bush roses)
- These repeat-flowering roses bloom on new season’s growth. Prune firmly in winter to encourage strong new shoots and plenty of flowers.
- Cut back to an open framework and remove thin or weak growth. In late summer (around February), a lighter trim will help encourage autumn blooms.
Tip: Remove one or two of the oldest main canes at ground level each year once they reach about three years old.
Shrub Roses (including David Austin / English Roses)
- Shrub roses are usually repeat-flowering but respond best to moderate pruning. Avoid cutting too hard, as this can produce leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
- Remove dead, diseased or crossing branches, trim to shape, and deadhead during flowering to extend the display.
Tip: In winter, prune slightly harder to control size and tidy any wayward growth.
Climbing Roses
- Climbers flower best when long canes are trained horizontally. In winter, remove old or unproductive canes and tie in strong new ones.
- Lightly shorten side shoots that carried flowers last season to encourage repeat flowering.
Groundcover & Miniature Roses
- These require minimal pruning. Simply remove dead or damaged wood and trim lightly to shape.
- If needed, they can be reduced more firmly in winter to rejuvenate growth.
Tool Tips
- Sharp, well-maintained tools make pruning easier and cleaner.
- Bypass secateurs are ideal for most pruning.
- Loppers handle thicker stems (over 20 mm).
- If time is short, bush roses (Hybrid Tea and Floribunda) can be lightly shaped with hedge shears without long-term harm.
Sanitation
- Roses can spread viruses through sap, so clean secateurs between plants.
- We use alcohol-based hand sanitiser or methylated spirits in a small spray bottle. Spray blades and wipe clean before moving to the next plant.
Tip: This is good practice when pruning fruit trees as well.