How to Care for Roses that Are Too Tall

While healthy rose bushes enhance the beauty of your home's garden, they also require pruning to prevent them from growing too tall. Overgrown roses are prone to bent stems that diminish the aesthetic appearance of your garden, as they droop and cause the roses to lay on the ground. Pruning not only ensures that your roses grow to an appropriate height, it also shapes the rosebush and encourages healthy flowers for the next bloom.

Pruning shears
Rake
Garbage bag

Instructions

- 1
  Cut half of the old growth from the stem, which removes any damaged stems from the rosebush. Old growth is identifiable by its brown or black color, whereas new growth is thick and green.
- 2
  Clip off damaged stems at a 45-degree angle with the pruning shears about 1/4 inch above the brown or red bud eyes on the stem as it promotes growth, according to the University of Missouri. Bud eyes are small brown or red bumps on the stem.
- 3
  Cut thin growth located near the soil to promote strong growth, as weak stems do not improve over time. Rose stems are thick in appearance, whereas unhealthy stems have a twiggy appearance.
- 4
  Use a rake to gather up clipped stems and keep the area clear of pruning debris.
- 5
  Dispose of the stem clippings in a garbage bag, or in a specific bag for lawn clippings.

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Rose Garden