What to Remove When Pruning Roses
My daughter got me 2 rose bushes half way through the last growing season- Lavender Rose and Queen Elizabeth grandiflora rose. They did not grow a lot last year. What I want to know is about pruning them. Where am I supposed to cut?
Start by removing any dead wood, diseased canes or those girdled by hungry rabbits, deer or other wildlife. The winterkilled canes are discolored on the outside and have brown centers. Live healthy canes are usually green and have white centers. Prune at least one inch below the dead wood, just above an outward facing bud on a 45 degree angle. This may be all the pruning you will need to do. The ultimate goal is to have the plant with five to twelve canes 18 to 24 inches tall.
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