How to Cut Rose Bush Suckers

Many commercial roses have been grafted to produce the desired size and shape of the rose. The bush consists of a vigorous rootstock with the upper portion, called a scion, grafted to the roots. Branches or shoots that grow from the scion produce roses identical to those on the grafted bush. However, new shoots, called suckers, that emerge from the roots of the rosebush often produce inferior roses. Removing the suckers when they appear keeps the bush in shape and improves overall performance.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Trowel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Follow the sucker back to the point where it attaches to the rosebush. If it attaches below the union of the rootstock and scion, it is a true sucker and should be removed.

   • 2

     Push the soil aside by hand or with a garden trowel to get to the base of the sucker, if necessary.

   • 3

     Cut the base of the sucker as close to the trunk of the rootstock as possible, using a clean pair of pruning shears.

   • 4

     Replace the soil around the base of the rosebush.