Should I prune newly planted rose bushes?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Pruning of newly planted rose bushes must be severely limited to promote strong establishment. Young, unestablished plants will spend energy developing roots instead of recovering from pruning cuts. I learned this when I tried to shape my first-year roses. They suffered a lot. Only prune away what's necessary in the first year.
Permitted Pruning
- Remove broken or damaged branches immediately
- Cut crossing canes rubbing against others
- Trim cracked stems from transplant stress
- Eliminate diseased wood showing infection signs
Prohibited Actions
- No structural shaping or size reduction
- Avoid cutting healthy green growth
- Never remove more than 10% of foliage
- Postpone major thinning until second year
Root Protection
- Avoid disturbing soil around root zone
- Minimize walking near base compacting earth
- Water deeply instead of frequent light watering
- Apply root-stimulator fertilizer monthly
Transplant shock poses a challenge for first-year roses. Pruning can't help them in a small matter of recovering in new soil. Energy is directed towards healing wounds while the roots should be growing. I protect new shrubs with wind barriers and steady moisture. That assistance lessens the need for corrective pruning.
Spring light shaping involves minimal cutting. Remove any errant stems that disrupt the plant's overall shape. Make clean cuts above outward-facing buds. I will usually wait to see new growth appear before I consider even the slightest edits. Patience yields more robust results.
Aftercare emphasizes root establishment. Water thoroughly up to twice a week, especially during dry spells. Apply 2 inches of mulch, keeping mulch from any stems. I apply organic compost to nourish plants gently. Watch for signs of pests. Stressed plants attract pests. A watchful eye, or monitoring, helps you avoid issues completely.
In year two, switch to normal pruning. Train structural shape when dormant, before spring growth. Limit your pruning to one-third of the total growth, or to established plants. My roses after year two handle pruning so much better than the new ones. Once developed, the roots have them well secured in the ground!
Read the full article: Ultimate Rose Bush Pruning Guide
