Pruning roses can feel intimidating, but with a few simple guidelines, it becomes one of the most rewarding tasks in rose care. Pruning encourages healthy growth, shapes the plant, and increases blooms—so don’t be afraid to get out your pruners!

When Should I Prune My Roses?

The best time to prune roses in Utah is in early spring, just as plants are starting to wake up from winter. However, spring weather here can be unpredictable. That’s why many local gardeners rely on a time-tested visual cue: wait until the Forsythia starts to bloom. These bright yellow flowers usually signal that the soil is warming and the danger of hard frost is mostly past.

If you miss the “ideal” time—don’t worry. The best time to prune is when you can. Roses are resilient, and a thoughtful pruning at any point in early spring or even early summer is better than skipping it entirely.

How Much Should I Prune?

That depends on the type of rose. Here are basic guidelines:

Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, and Grandifloras

Cut back to 12–18 inches from the ground.
Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing canes.
Aim to keep 3–5 healthy canes, pruning them at an outward-facing bud.
Open up the center to encourage airflow and reduce disease.

Shrub Roses

These are generally more forgiving.
Shape the plant by trimming ⅓ to ½ of the overall height.
Remove dead or spindly growth, and thin the center slightly if needed.

Climbing Roses

Don’t prune aggressively in early spring unless it’s a repeat bloomer.
Focus on removing dead wood and trimming back side shoots.
Tie or train the main canes horizontally to promote more blooms.
Major shaping is often done after the first flush of flowers for once-blooming varieties.

Pro Tips

Always use sharp, clean pruners to make smooth cuts and reduce the risk of disease.
Cut at a 45° angle about ¼” above an outward-facing bud.
Remove suckers that grow from below the graft (on grafted roses).
Don’t panic—roses want to grow. Even a rough pruning will usually result in vigorous regrowth.