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A controversial topic for Rose growers! Keen Rose exhibitors here in the UK, swear by hard autumn pruning(ie cut down to 6 inches from the base). In harsh winters, the risk is that you will lose bushes to frost.
This has been a moderately hard winter and my own roses , (which were cut by one third during November), are showing six inches of dead wood from the tips of the stems down, due to frost. Had I hard pruned in Autumn, I would be now be worried that I had lost them completely.
Prune your roses anytime between early March and early April. The exact time for your region is when the dormant buds begin to grow.
Guru Spotlight |
Joe Wallace |