Spring Rose cut – cut and keep climbing roses

Climbing roses in full bloom can be an attractive accent on any home or garden facade. Cutting climbing roses is a necessary task that helps keep the plant healthy and under control. Early spring is the best time to prune roses. Climbing roses should not be heavily pruned in the first two or three years because that can slow their climbing growth and development.

Maintenance tips: climbing roses

Climbing roses grow on a trellis or other support structure. They usually have one or more main canes and lateral shoots that produce flowers. There are two types of climbing roses: those that bloom once a season and those that bloom repeatedly through the season. Prune climbing roses in late winter or early spring, before the plant flowers. Make each cut just above an outward-facing bud.

Use gardening gloves

Cut back spent flowering shoots to a few key nodes from the main branches. This keeps the rose well shaped and helps it grow strong enough to carry next year's flowers.

Cut side shoots

Cut old, weak, dead, or severely damaged main shoots. This can be difficult, but they should be removed. Remember that "dead" does not simply mean "brown." If you are unsure whether a cane is still alive, make a small scratch in the bark. Tie in the strong new canes and remove the ones that are not needed.

Cut just above an outward-facing bud

White climbing rose on the door

House with stone walls

Pergola decorated with climbing white roses

Climbing roses on the front of the building

Wooden trellis with climbing roses

red door

Maintenance tips for climbing roses

White climbing roses wrapped around a wooden pergola

Wire mesh fence

Mesh for the support

Entrance canopy decorated with climbing roses

Wooden fence