Roses will bounce back healthier with bigger flowers in spring if 1 simple job is done now

Roses need to be pruned soon as they stop being dormant and begin growing again (Image: Getty)

Roses in late winter are dormant to reserve energy and prevent damage from the freezing cold temperatures so there is usually no need for gardeners to tend to them. 

However Josie Irons, a Cotswold gardener and founder of Fashion Mumblr, has shared how important it is to cut back your roses bushes just as this resting period comes to an end. 

Josie said: “If you haven’t yet pruned your roses, now is a great time to do it, as it’s a job that’s got to be done before all of the new growth begins in the spring.”

The best time to prune roses is when they are coming out of dormancy and begin growing again, which tends to typically be between late January to mid February if you live in southern England or Wales. 

If you live somewhere colder like northern England, Northern Ireland or Scotland then it is best to wait until late February to early March for the rose dormant period to end. 

It is easy to prune roses as you are simply tidying them up and getting rid of damaged stems (Image: Getty)

Many gardeners hesitate to prune roses in case they cut too much off or chop off the wrong stem, but these flowers are hardy and tend to be very forgiving of any mistakes. 

It is easy to prune roses as all you are doing is tidying them up and helping more air flow reach the lower part of the plant to stop the spread of diseases. 

The most serious rose diseases such as black spot usually travel through moisture which is why it is essential to make sure the stems are have plenty of space and are not tangled to keep them dry. 

How to prune roses 

First, put on a long-sleeved top and a pair of gardening gloves so you do not hurt yourself on any rose thorns. 

You will also need some gardening shears and some rubbing alcohol to disinfect your shears after each cut to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. 

Then remove any damaged, dead or diseased looking branches on your rose bush.

It is easy to prune roses as (Image: Getty)

Josie said: “To prune your rose bush, get a pair of sharp and cut each stem back by around a third. 

“The idea is that you’re preventing your rose from becoming all long and spindly, and instead keeping it in a nice neat shape.

Cut downwards at a 45 degree angle just above any buds on the flower. This stops water gathering at the end of the stem to stop it rotting or getting infected. 

Make sure to cut back any branches that are crossing so the bush does not become tangled in the future. 

Josie said: “Try to get all of your stems roughly to the same height, and then also remove any dead or diseased wood as well. 

“Once you’re done, it’s best to put the clippings in your green bin rather than on your compost heap, as any diseases in the rose could end up in your compost which isn’t ideal.”

Cutting roses not only keeps them healthy but helps the plant spend more energy on growing flowers rather than wasting resources on dying stems so if pruned properly you will have bigger and more abundant blooms later on in the year.