How to Prune a Queen Anne Rose

Soak the blades of your pruning tools in a 70 percent rubbing alcohol solution for 5 minutes to sterilize them. Blot the blades dry with a cloth.

Remove all spent flowers from the "Queen Anne" rose bush. Cut through each flower stalk 1/4 inch above the first outward-facing leaf containing five leaflets. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle sloping away from the leaf's petiole, or stem.

Cut out any dead canes that appear dried, brown, black or gray. Make each cut 1/4 inch above the cane's base or 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud or leaf at least 1 inch into healthy, living wood. Angle each cut at 45 degrees, sloping away from the bud or leaf.

Cut back any canes sporting portions of stripped bark to 1/4 inch above an outward- facing bud or leaf. Trim broken, split or cracked branches back to healthy wood at least 1 inch below the damaged portion, cutting them off above an outward-facing lateral branch, leaf or bud.

Prune out any canes that cross or rub against others. Cut each stem off 1/4 inch above its base or a lateral branch.

Cut out any weak canes with a diameter less than that of a pencil. Cut each of these branches back to 1/4 inch above its base. Remove any suckers or canes growing from the ground or below the graft union. Cut these stems off at soil level or as close to the main rose stem as possible without damaging it.

Prune out one-third of the remaining oldest canes. Slice through each cane at its base, 1/4 inch above the point where it joins the main plant.

Gather the removed canes, flower stalks and any fallen leaves from the ground surrounding the "Queen Anne" bush. Discard the plant material in a trash bin.