DIY Pruning for Weeping Rose Trees

Rose Pruning Basics

• Basic rose pruning principles apply to successful do-it-yourself tree rose pruning. Remove spent flowers, or “deadhead,” roses regularly throughout the growing season. Collect fresh-cut roses by clipping the stem back to an outward-facing bud at a 45-degree angle. Remove annually dead, dying or diseased canes, or canes that grow in the wrong direction to keep roses healthy. Perform annual pruning when new growth begins in the spring on repeat-blooming varieties. Prune once-blooming roses when their flush has finished.

Tools

• Basic, handheld shears are sufficient for pruning weeping tree roses. Bypass pruning shears work with a scissors action, employing curved, sharp blades for clean cuts. Bypass shears are preferable to anvil-type pruning shears for pruning roses. Gauntlet gloves protect the hands and upper arms; injuries from rose thorns can cause fungal disease. Quality tools and equipment are an excellent long-term investment. Keep shears clean, sharp and dry. Optional safety goggles protect the eyes, especially on windy days.

Pruning Tree Roses

• Weeping tree roses require slightly adjusted pruning techniques to take full advantage of their form. At annual pruning time, remove the dead, diseased and dying canes. Remove small, twiggy canes. Shorten the remaining healthy canes to 2 to 4 inches in length with up to three eyes, or growth buds, on each shortened cane. This keeps the plant from becoming top-heavy. The crown develops properly no matter which direction the eyes face. Cut out any suckers that sprout along the trunk or rootstock.

Weeping Tree Rose Varieties

• Miniature roses with a weeping habit include purple, fragrant Sweet Chariot, The Fairy in pink and Red Cascade. Ground cover roses create effective weeping standards. Jackson & Perkins developed the “Blanket” series of ground cover roses including Baby Blanket, Electric Blanket, Beach Blanket Raspberry Blanket and Blossom Blanket. Pink blend Happy Chappy and pink Bubblicious bloom throughout the season. Weeping China Doll blooms prolifically in pink. Yellow Ribbons displays yellow blossoms over a long season.