Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Okay so now you know how to prune from part one of this article, now it’s time for you to learn which rose varieties to prune now, which don’t even need you to prune them, and some that take a little special pruning attention.

Don’t Prune Every Year!

Some new rose varieties such as Knockout, or any of the Canadian Explorers do not need pruning every year, so it is important to know what kind of roses you have in your garden. However, every rose should be pruned at least every three years regardless– it’ll make them grow better!

Old Garden Roses

If you are unsure whether your rose is an old garden variety or not, here is a good little trick: Old garden roses bloom in the Spring and only last four to six weeks! Don’t prune them until after they’re done flowering! So basically: Prune after Bloom! This is similar to your lilacs and most of your Spring blooming bushes.

Some examples are: Harrison Yellow, Seven Sisters, Madame Hardy

Rosa Mundi (left) Apothecary (right) Both zone 4!

Hybrid Teas

Your Hybrid Teas are usually cut back in the fall because they are tender roses– not winter hardy in our climate. Just remove winter protection and see what needs to be done. Usually I just shape the top in a arc and let them go! However if you did not cut your Hybrid Teas back in the fall you must prune them back to a healthy green cane. See the first part of this article for great step by step instructions!

Hybrid Teas: Audrey Hepburn, Mr. Lincoln, Chrysler Imperial

Let Freedom Ring (left) Double Delight (right)

Floribunda and Grandiflora

Floribundas and Grandifloras are in need of cutting back to a healthy cane as well because they are not winter hardy for cold climates! There again, remove the winter protection, cut back the black cane to the healthy tissue (green cane) and remove branches or stems growing towards the center. Pruning should be done in the Spring after the last frost.
It helps if you can get Floribundas and Grandifloras on their own root because they always come back no matter how severe the winter was!

Floribunda: Nicole Rose…

Grandiflora: Queen Elizabeth…

Climbers

Climbers that are not for this zone (such as Altissimo, and Blaze) need to be buried in a deep trench every fall after they go dormant. If you are not willing to go through the trouble of digging a deep trench (and by miracle your climbers are still alive) then you must trim back to the healthy tissue or buy a hardy variety for cold climates. As said before, these do not have to be pruned every year, but must be pruned at least every three years!
Climbers for Cold Climates: William Baffin, John Davis, John Cabot, and the latest is Ramblin’ Red.

Climbers for cold climates are great for a practically care free garden! Here are a few that I’ve had a lot of luck with…

Zephirine Drouhin (left) and New Dawn (right)

Iceberg (left) and John Davis (right)

John Davis does not need winter protection, however, all other climbers listed here do need it since they are Zone 5!

Miniatures

Miniatures basically need a hair cut every Spring and later in the season when they become leggy (when they get tall and stop flowering). It is as simple as that!

Jeanne Lajoie: a miniature climber for zone 5

Shrubs

Shrubs are also very easy! Every three years just trim the top! And what could be better!? Most don’t even need winter protection!

Robusta (left) Knockout (right)

Roses can be a lot of fun and are so beautiful! They add a lot of pizzazz to your garden! The myth that they are difficult is just that– a myth! Roses are very easy to care for if you just get the right varieties for your zone!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne

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