Simple pruning helps to promote vigorous growth and ensures plenty of colourful flowers.

Bush Roses. In February/March before new growth appears, cut out dead, damaged, weak and crossing stems. Prune the branches left to approximately 1/3 of the original size.

Patio Roses. No pruning is necessary, apart from the removal of any damaged or weak steams. If required, they can be trimmed to shape in February/March.

County Roses. No pruning is necessary, apart from the removal of any damaged or weak steams. If required, they can be trimmed to shape in February/March using shears or a hedge trimmer.

Climbers. Remove any old or very weak growth and trim to shape. Train existing stems horizontally into the framework as these will produce more lateral shoots which go onto produce flower.

Ramblers. Prune immediately after flowering. Remove weak, old and dead wood.

Dead heading. Removing flowers heads when they have faded stimulates repeat flowering. Remove the flower or complete truss from cluster flowered types down to a strong bud.

Removing suckers. Most rose plants are ‘budded’ on a briar stock. Suckers are lighter green growths, with only a few thorns thrown up from the briar stock, rather than the variety which has been budded (grafted) on it.  Suckers shouldn’t be a problem but if you do find one trace the offender back to the root and pull it off.  If you cut it back it may have the same effect as pruning – renewed vigour.