When do I prune roses?

The cold hardiness zone snakes through Columbia, but I usually consider our zone as 8a, possibly 7b (if I really want to try a plant!). The last hard frost date isn't until April 15, but it's extremely rare for a frost that late.

I found a thread from a year ago about pruning roses that seems to be saying mid-February is about the right time to prune roses. Ardesia, I believe you've become a convert to mid-summer pruning; is that still the case?

I've been looking up various sources from Charlotte to southern Texas, David Austin, the American Rose Society, and Clemson.

Last year, I ignored all the advice I had found about not pruning Rosa 'Mutabilis' because, frankly, it had just gotten too large, but I suspect I was too late in pruning because the first flush of flowers was a bit late. Still, all that new foliage was a gorgeous deep burgundy, and the flowering finally did catch up. This year, I'm thinking mid-February is about right.

Would love to hear when ya'll prune your roses~

I have to prune several times a year down here. In Columbia I used to do the major pruning on Valentines Day. If they get too ratty looking in late summer you can shape them a bit and it will stimulate new fresh growth. You just would not want to do that too late because the new growth has to harden off.

Hello ladies! long time no talk...hope you all have been well this winter!

Hey, hey, welcome back. :-)

Thanks Ardesia - how's the garden been this winter?

We've always pruned our hybrid Tea's in mid February, Fleurs, and it seems to work here in Charleston. We've got 3 of them at the foot of the steps off the deck (that smell is heavenly!), a Mirandy and 2 Tiffany. They're getting old now (20 years), and not as vigorous as before, but have always responded beautifully to the Feb pruning ritual. No real problems with the usual Black Spot, Powdery mildew, etc. We prune our Knock-Outs whenever they get out of control, and nothing seems to slow them down...

The garden? Hmmmm, a bit mushy this week but no permanent damage. LOL

Hey, red, been wonderin' about you.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Sometimes checking information can be challenging -- full sun, part sun (which one is best?), that sort of thing. Researching a plant only to find very different zones given.

It's really wonderful to ask questions of gardeners in one's own area, and I thank you.

When folks ask me questions, I usually wind up telling them what little I know, but then add that the garden itself is the best teacher.

I too usually prune mine around the middle of February .. but if the temps stay in the low 30's and 20's at night, I might wait awhile longer.

X

In Charlotte we wait til mid March. You don't want to initiate new growth (which is what pruning will do) until you are sure you won't have any more severe wether which might cause die back. Once you have die back, you will get blind shoots, which only produce vegetative growth, no flowers.