Depending on the flowering behavior and growth, roses have to be cut differently. Shrub roses require special pruning, which should also be done at a specific time of year.
The first major difference between shrub roses and other genera is that shrub roses can reach a height of about eight feet while taking on a bushy appearance. However, there are also smaller specimens that can almost be compared to ground covers and accordingly spread out more broadly on the ground.
Shrub roses are therefore not necessarily the focal point of a flower garden. They are more like extras that are used as hedges or as additional ornaments. Compared to other types of roses, the splendor of their flowers is all the richer.
Pruning shrub roses - when is the best time?
As far as pruning is concerned, it should be noted that there are two types of shrub roses:
- Once flowering shrub roses
- Shrub roses that bloom more often
Both types are pruned in spring and autumn. Pruning in spring is always done when the forsythia is in bloom. This is usually the case around March. In autumn, on the other hand, the pruning is done when the roses have faded.
Cutting shrub roses - how is it done?
When cutting, make sure that this is done a little differently for both types. In detail, this looks like this:
| Art | Spring Pruning | Autumn Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Once flowering shrub roses | • Encourage two-year-old shoots, only shorten the shoots so that the growth suits the plant • Cut off older shoots and faded panicles • Cut back dead or diseased wood to five centimeters | • single flowers: no pruning is done here in autumn • double flowers: shorten longer shoots and shorten faded clusters of flowers with three to four leaves |
| Red Roses that bloom more often | • Branches are cut back to about a third or half • Caution: excessive pruning leads to a lack of flowers • Natural growth habit withsupport the cut | • Cut back flower clusters with three or four leaves • Shorten shoots that are too long |
» Tip: Only cut once flowering shrub roses every two to three years, otherwise not enough flowers will grow back. Only the older shoots are removed here.
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Are there special features for certain shrub roses?
Particularly with historical breeds, it is the case that they are susceptible to certain diseases. This includes, for example, black spot or various fungal diseases. Older specimens of shrub roses should therefore only be pruned every four to five years.
In general, older shoots can always be cut off, regardless of whether it is a one-time blooming variety or a shrub rose that blooms more often. As soon as the shoots lean towards the ground, you can cut them off.
If the plants are already full of older shoots, cut them back after flowering in autumn. This means that they put on new shoots in the same year and have many flowers again in the next season.
Another tip is that with the shrub roses, about three to five main shoots should be kept in order to guarantee further budding and the next bloom.
What happens if you leave the roses completely alone?
In a natural garden, it's a good idea to just leave the roses alone and maybe only prune them every two years.
However, if roses are not cared for for too long, not only will diseases settle in them, but at the same time they will become bare over the years until they no longer develop any flowers or shoots. This is particularly the case with English shrub roses.