How To Prune Roses In Summer

Roses are a stunning flower that typically blooms between spring and fall. They either have one display of flowers or bloom twice a year depending upon the varieties.

Whether you have a summer-blooming rose or a rose that will bloom again in the fall, both types require trim and maintenance in summer. But it is important to not trim your roses too much otherwise they will not produce a successful bloom the following season.

Here we cover how to prune roses in summer to help you achieve a brilliant display of roses each year.

Why Prune Roses In Summer

No matter the variety of roses you have, all roses could do with pruning during the summer months.

It is important to ensure you only trim your roses slightly and then prune them further in winter when their growth is dormant until the following spring.

Pruning your roses helps to encourage new growth as your plants then dedicate more time to generating new buds instead of more foliage and old blooms.

It also minimizes the spread of sick plants by improving air circulation around your roses and removing dead or diseased branches.

During the summer months when your roses are in full bloom, they require regular trimming. Leave buds that are healthy and in bloom, but focus on trimming those that have faded, diseased, or have not successfully bloomed.

By trimming these your roses will focus their energy on generating even more buds and creating a larger, fuller display of roses.

However, before trimming, you need to ensure you sterilize your pruners. Bleach is a popular method of sterilizing garden tools due to being inexpensive and easy to obtain. To create a solution, mix one-part bleach with nine parts water.

Dip the metal end of your tools in the bleach solution for at least 30 minutes, then rinse and dry. If you are pruning several plants and varieties at a time, ensure to dip and wipe your pruners into the solution between each plant. This will help minimize the risk of spreading diseases.

At the same time as removing old flowers, also check the leaves for fungal diseases and rose rust. Ensure to remove and dispose of these rather than compost so they don’t impact other plants.

When you do prune your roses, make sure to prune at a 45-degree angle and cut approximately 1/2cm from where the stem attaches to the flower. Try not to cut excessively as it will take your roses longer to recover and produce new shoots. If you cut too much away, you may not achieve that second bloom before winter.

Another area to consider is the height and width of your rose bush. If your roses are becoming too large, then you don’t have to wait until winter to cut them back. You can cut off the top and side shoots to your desired size. Just remember that anything you cut back will need time to regrow.

Summer is a good time to cut this area back if you need to cut a large amount away. As roses become dormant during the winter, there won’t be substantial growth before Spring when shoots begin growing again.

One important tip to remember is to not cut back more than one-third of your rose bush at a time. Any more and your roses will experience shock and may not recover well.

After you have finished a pruning session, ensure to provide plenty of water to the base of your rose bush around the roots and add fertilizer. Roses need a lot of water, especially during the summer months. Adding fertilizer will aid your roses in further growth by providing essential nutrients your rose now might be low in after a prune.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it ok to trim roses in the summer?

Yes, your roses will be healthier with a small trim during the summer. Leave larger trims and cutbacks for winter when the plants are dormant.

What time of the year is best to cut back roses?

Winter is best for cutting back roses due to them being dormant and not focused on producing new shoots and flowers.

However, during the summer months, your roses need maintenance with a smaller trim. This helps encourage new growth whilst also checking for any damage or disease.

What do you do with roses in the summer?

During the summer, roses need regular water, fertilizer, and pruning. Each week they will require a larger soak of water around their roots alongside regular daily watering in the morning or afternoon.

During flowering, they also need fertilizer added every 2-3 weeks until fall to supply enough nutrients to your roses.

Should you deadhead roses in summer?

Yes, roses do require deadheading regularly in the summer months. Without deadheading, your bushes will continue to direct energy into the dying flowers.

By removing deadheads, you’re encouraging your roses to generate new shoots and hence new flower buds.

How do I keep my roses blooming all summer?

Regular pruning is the key to keeping your roses in a healthy, bountiful condition. Ensure to check weekly the condition of the leaves, removing and disease, and pruning dying flowers.

Offering regular water ensures that your roots will stay healthy and strong, and remove any surrounding weeds to minimize competition of resources and space.

What happens if you don’t prune roses?

If you don’t maintain your roses throughout their growing season, it could lead to a less extensive display of flowers. Not to mention an increased chance for diseases to spread across your plants.

By pruning regularly, you can aid your rose bushes to produce new growth, whilst managing any disease outbreaks before they take hold of your whole plant.

Although a thorough prune is required during winter whilst your roses are dormant, you also need to maintain and prune them in summer.

Regular summer pruning doesn’t require the substantial cutting back of your roses. But, small, regular pruning does support your rose bushes to produce more flowers and healthier growth.

Ensure to dedicate time each week during the summer months to checking and pruning your roses so that they stay healthy and grow fuller each year.

For more posts on growing roses and other popular flowers, take a look at these below: