In order for standard roses to retain their compact growth habit, they must be pruned correctly. We show you how to properly prune standard roses.

You need the right tool to cut roses smoothly

Roses (Rosa) in bush or espalier form are you bored? A special eye-catcher for the garden are so-called standard roses. These only take up a small area and still impress with many flowers. However, most roses do not form a stem naturally. For this purpose, suitable varieties must be selected and grafted onto specially cultivated wild rose shoots. Regular pruning is the only way to ensure that the shape of the crown is retained and the rose blooms magnificently. We have summarized all the important aspects that need to be considered in this article for you.

When should you prune standard roses?

The best time to prune roses is in early spring (March/April) when the forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia ) are blooming and the stem roses have not yet started to shoot again. Then no more severe frosts should be expected, which could damage the plant after pruning.

Pruning standard roses: The right approach

You should cut back all young side shoots of standard roses to about four buds. The cut should always be made at an angle over a bud that is growing outwards. It is best to use sharp pruning shears for this so that the cut is as smooth as possible. Further pruning measures can possibly contribute to the preservation of the crown. However, do not cut all the shoots to one height, as this will look unnatural.

Tree
Brunch roses need regular pruning to keep their shape

You should also cut out broken, thin and crossing shoots. Make sure the crown is loosely built, as this allows enough light and air to get inside to prevent disease. If you leave too many shoots on a variety that blooms often, this can also lead to the rose producing only short shoots with weak flowers.

However, the opposite is true for cascading roseswhich strong-growing climbing roses were grafted onto the stems. These tolerate only a slight pruning. With these varieties, only shorten the shoots that have become too long and, if necessary, remove some older shoots to encourage new growth.

Summary - Pruning Roses:

  1. Pruning standard roses in spring (March/April)
  2. Use sharp tool
  3. Always cut over an outward pointing bud
  4. Shorten young side shoots to four eyes
  5. Ensure a loose crown structure
  6. Consider special variety characteristics

Would you like to have your own standard rose? You can find an overview of beautiful standard rose varieties in our special article. You can also find more information about the right pruning of roses here.

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