Pruning and restoring old climbing roses

Reviving Climbing Roses: A Guide to Proper Pruning and Care

Improper pruning is a common mistake with climbing roses, often resulting in a “haircut effect” where only the top is trimmed, leaving the plant with fewer flowers and an unbalanced structure.

To promote abundant blooms and maintain a healthy climbing rose, pruning should focus on encouraging the growth of new stems over a three- to four-year cycle. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Remove Older Stems: Identify and cut back the older, brown stems, allowing space for fresh, green stems to grow. This rotation ensures the plant is continuously rejuvenating itself and producing vibrant flowers.
2. Renovate Overgrown Roses: If the plant has been neglected, a hard cutback may be necessary. This involves removing old growth to stimulate the development of new stems, which will form the framework for future blooms.
3. Feeding for Growth: Regular feeding is crucial to support healthy regrowth and flowering:
   • Apply an annual dressing of Growmore or Top Rose.
   • Provide 2–3 feeds of Miracle-Gro over two months.
   • For roses pruned hard, additional feeds with liquid tomato fertilizer until September can enhance growth and flowering.
4. Train the Stems Horizontally: As new stems grow, train them horizontally along wires. This method encourages more blooms along the length of the stems, rather than just at the tops of vertical shoots.

By following these steps, you can transform your climbing roses into flourishing, flower-filled displays that enhance any garden. Regular pruning and proper care not only improve the health of the plant but also ensure a stunning floral showcase year after year

General Guidelines for Pruning Climbing Roses

Pruning climbing roses is essential for maintaining their health, encouraging vigorous growth, and ensuring an abundance of blooms. Here’s a step-by-step guide to pruning old climbing roses effectively:

1. Timing:

• Prune climbing roses in late winter or early spring while they are dormant, before new growth begins. This timing encourages robust growth and prolific flowering in the next growing season.

2. Remove Dead or Diseased Wood:

• Start by cutting away any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Removing these parts improves the plant’s appearance and prevents the spread of pests and diseases.

3. Identify and Remove Older Canes:

• Locate the oldest wood, which is typically thicker, darker, and more woody. Canes older than three years should be removed completely to make room for younger, more productive growth.

4. Encourage New Growth:

• Look for fresh, vigorous shoots emerging from the base of the plant or the graft union. These shoots are vital for the plant’s renewal and should be trained onto a trellis or support to encourage upward growth.

5. Trim Remaining Branches:

• For the remaining canes, prune them back to an appropriate length based on the rose variety:
  • Hybrid Tea Roses: Cut back to 2-3 buds.
  • Other Climbing Roses: Prune to 5-6 buds.

6. Use Proper Tools:

• Always use sharp, clean pruning tools to make precise cuts, which reduce the risk of damage and infection.

7. Don’t Hesitate to Prune Aggressively:

• Older climbing roses respond well to rejuvenation pruning. Removing excess old growth encourages fresh shoots and abundant blooms in the next season.

By following these steps, you can revitalize your climbing roses and enjoy their beauty year after year.