Shape-Up Time for Roses via Sunset Magazine
Tips to care for roses across climate zones
Photo: Douglas E. Welch
Hybrid tea roses benefit from heavy pruning in winter. Shrub and groundcover roses need only shaping or light shearing. Both techniques are detailed below.
PRUNING HYBRID TEA ROSES
Remove all dead wood and all weak, twiggy branches. Make cuts flush with the bud union (the swelling at the base of the plant).
Cut all branches that cross through the center. This opens up the plant and gives it a vase shape. In hot climates, some rosarians just shorten center-crossing branches, so leaves will shade the bud union from the scorching summer sun.
