Spindly Roses

How to Prune

• Make slanted cuts just above healthy buds. Remove any wood that is brown, dead or diseased. Make the cuts with clean, sharp pruning shears. The center of a rose stem is known as the pith, which should be pure white in live, healthy stems. If the pith is gray or brown, trim more of the stem. Growth that should be removed includes spindly stalks, areas where the plant is deformed, dead areas and areas where the stems grow outward and then upward.

When to Prune

• In warm climates, prune roses in late January or early February. Roses will never be completely dormant in warmer areas, and this time frame offers the best chance of deep dormancy. Do not prune antique roses in cooler months, but all other roses should be fine for that time of the year. In cooler climates, prune in early to mid-April after any winter protection has been removed from the roses.

Suckers

• Suckers have foliage that is colored differently from the rest of the plant. They should be removed or soon will dominate the plant. This will lead to weak, spindly plants. Cut off suckers with a very sharp, clean tool to prevent infection. Remove the entire base of the sucker, or it may grow back.

Frost Protection

• Frost damage also can cause spindly roses. To protect roses from winter damage, remove dead or diseased plant material. Stop fertilizing plants in mid-August to assist roses in going dormant for the winter. Do not cut flowers after the first of October. Cover the base of the plants with a hill of 10 to 12 inches of soil or compost. When this soil freezes, add layers of leaves or hay over it, and then cover the mound with boughs taken from evergreen trees. Leave only a few inches of the plant exposed. Alternatively, plastic or polystyrene foam can be used to cover rosebushes for the winter.