University of Illinois Extension


History
Selecting Roses
Site Selection and Bed Preparation
Planting
Water, Mulch & Fertilizer
Winter Protection
Pruning
Disease and Insect Pests
Different Kinds of Roses
Selected References
Societies & Organizations
Mail Order Sources
Video

Pruning

Old Garden Roses

These roses are pruned much like modern shrub roses with some important considerations based on class. Old once-blooming roses such as Alba, Gallica, Centifolia, Damasks, and Mosses produce flowers on old wood, all pruning should be delayed until after flowering. Then, you do as little or as much pruning as is required to maintain the plant. Thinning and removing old wood is encouraged. These roses may not need annual pruning if there is no dead or damaged wood present.

Repeat-flowering old garden roses such as Bourbons, Hybrid Perpetuals, and Portlands bloom on both new and old wood. These can be pruned before they flower and pruned harder without fear of losing blooms.

Dead-heading and General Suggestions | Modern Ever Blooming Roses | Modern Shrub Roses | Old Garden Roses | Climbers and Ramblers

History | Selecting Rose Plants | Site Selection & Bed Preparation | Planting | Water, Mulch & Fertilizer | Winter Protection | Pruning | Disease & Insect Pests | Different Kinds of Roses | Selected References | Societies & Organizations | Mail Order Sources | Video

Credits