Summer prune overgrown rose bush?
MatillyC
Posts: 3
Hi all! I've just moved into a new rented house and inherited a front yard (2m by 1m approx) that is in complete disarray. Most of it is nettles and long grass and it is completely overshadowed by an enormous rose bush about 2m tall. I know that it's recommended to prune roses in February/March but I'd really like to cut it back to be able to get at the rest of the space. Does anyone have any experience of taming huge roses or pruning vigorously in late summer? I've never had a rose bush before and mainly grow edibles but I'd like to keep it as a small shrub if it can be rescued.
More on the rose - there were some very large pale pink flowers on a few stems when we moved in a month ago, these have faded now. It's more "bushy" at the bottom then there are very high leafy shoots that are the main problem. Some parts are quite woody.
Posts
I prune all though the summer as the blooms fade. When the last bloom is finished on a branch, I prune back to just above a bud facing in the direction I want a shoot to grow. Last month one of my climbers was badly affected by the rain so I pruned it right back to sticks. It has flower buds on it now.
I know the books give specific times to prune but this has always worked for me.
Last edited: 01 August 2016 19:11:36
Overgrown roses are easily dealt with MatillyC. Start by looking for dead wood and cut that out at the base. Then stand back and have a look. It may be a queen Elizabeth from your description, a picture would confirm it. You can reduce height now if you wish, by a third back to an outward facing bud. Take out any damaged and crossing stems as well. Then take another look. It'll look better and then I'd leave it alone for now. In spring you can hard prune it to a simple 3 stems. However saying all this if it is a queen Elizabeth it'll shoot away next year as they're vigorous shrub roses. But at least you'll have some control from the outset next year.
Hey - thank you for the tips and sorry for the slow response! I'm going to attempt it this afternoon. I've tried to attach a picture to this - does it look like a Queen Elizabeth? It's more of a salmon pink really, and some of the leaves are quite red. I'm happy to keep pruning it regularly once it's under control.
Hey - thank you for the tips and sorry for the slow response! I'm going to attempt it this afternoon. I've tried to attach a picture to this - does it look like a Queen Elizabeth? It's more of a salmon pink really, and some of the leaves are quite red. I'm happy to keep pruning it regularly once it's under control.
Edit - picture doesn't want to load, unless I've done it five times and can't see it myself!