How to Prune Roses in Western Mountain Regions

In the United States, the western mountain states are Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona to the southwest -- and Wyoming, Idaho and Montana in the northwest. Established along the length of the Rocky Mountain range, they are at a high altitude. In the high elevation, the air is dry and the sun intense. Frost is normal late into spring, and freezing weather sometimes returns before fall. Use standard techniques to prune roses, but pay attention to the time of year. Cut diseased canes any time, but reserve regular trimming for the start of the warm season.

Things You'll Need

Shears

Instructions

- 1
  Prune winter-injured canes back ½ inch into healthy tissue. Wait until the buds begin to enlarge in late April to early May to cut ¼ inch above a bud. Slant the pruning cut at a 45-degree angle. Remove dead canes at the base of the plant.
- 2
  Cut old hybrid tea and grandiflora rose canes to ground level. Thin the remaining canes to five. Remove small branches growing off of them.
- 3
  Stand back and take a look at a floribunda's current shape. Make pruning cuts to create balance and symmetry. The trimming also increases blooming. Cut ¼ inch above a bud. Slant the cut at a 45-degree angle, pointing in the direction you want new growth to develop.
- 4
  Remove the oldest canes on climbing and rambling roses to ground level. Cut back lateral shoots to within the boundaries of the trellis. Retain two or three buds for blooming if the plant flowers in spring.
- 5
  Prune shrub roses right after the flowers fade, cutting the stem below the blossom to within ¼ from a bud. Trim all canes back to 4 to 6 inches from the ground to rejuvenate an old and overgrown shrub rose.

Yellow Leaves on a Knockout Rose Bush

Nematode-Resistant Roses

Growing Roses