How to Prune Rose Bushes in the Fall

Prune your roses after the first frost to get the plants ready for winter. Inspect the bush for dead canes, unproductive growth, new growth and green suckers. Use sharp pruners to cut away the dead wood as well as the new growth, which will die over the winter months and may damage the plant. If there are green suckers at the base of plant, dig deeply enough to pull them off. Do not cut them, as they will grow back and sap the energy that the rose needs to survive the cold.

Remove all leaves to prevent insect eggs and fungal spores from staying on the plant over the winter, then cut back the bush. Rose expert, Christine Williams recommends taking the entire bush back about a third to prevent it being blown and broken by winter wind and ice and snow buildup. Mound about seven inches of soil or mulch around the base of the bush to protect the roots.

Dispose of the branches and dead materials. Place them in a garbage bag and throw them in the trash or burn them to prevent disease. Do not put these materials in your compost pile or expose them to other plants.