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When to prune fairy roses?
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Posted by
stevecapecod cape cod (
My Page) on
Fri, Feb 10, 12 at 14:16
| What is the best time of year to prune, shape, etc. fairy roses? I live on Cape Cod, where we've had an unusually warm and snow-free winter. My fairy roses got very leggy last year and I'd like to prune them back to size. I'd also appreciate a tip on HOW to prune--cut way back to the ground, or carefully (and tediously) trim individual branches? Thanks in advance. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: When to prune fairy roses?
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| I wouldn't cut back to the ground. I usually trim mine back to a muffin around 18" and remove any dead canes at the base. Even old Fairies seem to regenerate themselves naturally with new basal canes each year. I wear welder's gauntlets to protect against the extremely nasty little thorns, or you could use a lopper or hedge trimmers if you don't have proper gloves. |
Also
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| As to when, the normal time for your area would probably be early April, but maybe someone local will pop in. |
RE: When to prune fairy roses?
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| Our local council grows many Fairy roses, alongside Bonica and Sommerwind. All these roses get cut with hedgetrimmers, around Easter to between half to two thirds of the original size. I think you can do the same - treat them like topiary and use mechanical trimmers or hand shears. |
RE: When to prune fairy roses?
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- Posted by seil z6b MI (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 10, 12 at 16:30
| The old adage is to start pruning when the forsythia blooms in your area. Don't scream at me people, lol! Yes, it may be an old wives tale but it does have it's merits in that usually that means that the daylight has gotten long enough and the soil has gotten warm enough for active growth in the roses. You want to start pruning when the roses naturally begin to bud out in the early spring but before they have completely leafed out. Now with this bizarre winter we've had who the heck knows when that will be! As far as how or how much to prune I agree with Michael that you don't need to take them to the ground. Cut out all the dead wood first and see what you have left and then shape from there. Like Campanula said, 1/2 to 1/3 is what is usually recommended at any one time in most cases.
To keep them in shape over the course of the season, when you dead head, shape as you go and then your bush should stay more in the shape and size you'd like. You're cutting anyway to dead head so that's the ideal time to keep the roses in check. And you can take out dead wood anytime to keep the plant cleaned up. |
RE: When to prune fairy roses?
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Hedge trimmer do a great job. Cut back about 1/2 or 2/3 depending on the size of the untrimmed bush. Although others suggest removing dead wood first, I find it easier to trim then remove dead wood from the shortened and smaller bush. Same reults, less to fool with and get stuck with thorns.
It's often difficult removing the dead wood first. The bush really doesn't care. |
RE: When to prune fairy roses?
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| Good points all, especially the warnings about the thorns. Thanks much, everyone. |
RE: When to prune fairy roses?
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- Posted by seil z6b MI (My Page) on
Sat, Feb 11, 12 at 0:48
| That's an interesting idea, Karl. I've never tried that but I can see your point. Maybe I'll try it this spring and see how it works out. |
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