Why prune a rose?
• Roses tend to produce more flowers off of new growth.
• Almost all hardy roses grow to a height and width of about 6 ft.
• Since most of us have already designed an area to accommodate the plant size, it is important for us to cut out dead growth, to tidy the appearance and to improve growing habits in bloom.
• In North Central Texas, roses are not cut back as severely as in South and Central Texas due to a shorter growing season.
• Prune about 3-4 weeks before the last killing frost in your area.
• The traditional date for pruning roses in the spring is Valentine’s Day. (give or take 7-14 days)
• If pruning is delayed, the new growth will still be on the top of the unpruned canes and only upper portions of the bush will be damaged in a late freeze.
• Old fashioned and antique roses need less pruning than modern roses.
• In choosing the shape of your rose plant, limit yourself to 4-5 major canes with the eyes growing in both directions, but principally to the outside.
The following simple steps can improve the appearance, vigor, and quality/quantity of roses produced.
1. Remove any damaged canes.
2. Remove one or 2 canes that may be rubbing one another.
3. Remove canes smaller than the diameter of a pencil or are spindly.

Energy Saving tip of the week: Use smaller kitchen appliances whenever possible. Toasters, toaster ovens, and roasters use 75% less energy than large conventional ovens.

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Happy Gardening