The easiest way to avoid regrets is to ask yourself this question, "If not now, when?" It's a powerful way to put life and our decisions about how we spend our time into perspective"

When should I cut my rose bushes back…. Posted by Cindy on 11/6/2025, 10:16 am I know you girls are better gardeners than me. I have one (pic to come later when I’m home) that has to be 6 ft tall and out of control! Just looking to see if I should be doing something with it before a hard frost hits. Thx.

Here’s a pic… Posted by Cindy on 11/6/2025, 7:49 pm, in reply to "When should I cut my rose bushes back…."

Do you know the name of it and Posted by Delta on 11/6/2025, 11:18 pm, in reply to "Here’s a pic…" what kind it is? Cutting all the old canes back to 12"-18" should be fine between Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day unless it is a Knock-out, then it should just be shaped into a ball a little. You can leave the new canes longer but they can be trimmed back some, too.

I have always heard Posted by Delta on 11/6/2025, 4:49 pm, in reply to "When should I cut my rose bushes back…." to cut them back between Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. That is what I always do for the big prunes. In our area, they bloom until a hard freeze, sometimes it is after Christmas. Then we tend to get a lot of freezes, and it is hard on them if they take a big pruning, then freeze.

Sounds like I better…. Posted by Cindy on 11/6/2025, 7:51 pm, in reply to "I have always heard" Leave them alone! Thx!

After their next bloom. Posted by Paula on 11/6/2025, 10:59 am, in reply to "When should I cut my rose bushes back…." If you do it now, they won't bloom or, at the very least, won't bloom much. Last Fall, a.compamy came out to clean up my yard. I panicked when I saw one of the women with a hedge trimmer, cutting my vibernum back. It is my absolutely favorite scent when it is in bloom. It is usually covered in tiny trumpet shaped blooms in the Spring. This Spring, maybe a handful. Was really bummed. All my shrubs are out of control, especially my azaleas and hydrangeas. Now that I feel so much better, I'd love to go clean them up but I know I need to wait.

They have finished blooming… Posted by Cindy on 11/6/2025, 7:50 pm, in reply to "After their next bloom." It’s been at least a month or two since they last bloomed.

Sent an article to your icloud email Posted by Paula on 11/6/2025, 8:00 pm, in reply to "They have finished blooming…" Sounds like Delta is closer to what it recommends. Maybe roses.are different than the plants I have. I've always been told not to prune until after the next bloom. It works with my hydrangeas, viburnum and azaleas.

Paula, I have been told Posted by Delta on 11/6/2025, 11:14 pm, in reply to "Sent an article to your icloud email" That roses do best to cut back to the first set of 5 leaves on each bloom after it dies. You lose the rosehips that way if you are into using them, but it is supposed to make it bushier and have more blooms. But do the heavy trim to 12"-18" long in early spring before they start blooming. I worked in a nursery and was told this by the man who ran it. My husband also worked in one and was told the same thing by that owner. I always tried to follow it. Can't fault it so far. My MIL always followed this, too, and had the most beautiful rose garden. I have only ever had a few compared to her. She had dozens and dozens.

Not saying that Posted by Delta on 11/6/2025, 11:19 pm, in reply to "Paula, I have been told " I am right, just passing on what I have been taught. I am always open to better methods.

I will check my email…. Posted by Cindy on 11/6/2025, 8:13 pm, in reply to "Sent an article to your icloud email" Thanks!!!!

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