Advice
RHS Help & Advice
Pruning cluster-flowered roses (floribundas)
Cluster-flowered bush roses (floribundas) are more vigorous than large-flowered bush roses (hybrid teas). The pruning is similar for both groups but less severe for cluster-flower roses. During the growing season deadhead as normal. In late autumn tip back main growth and cut out any soft unripe shoots.
Annual pruning is from February to March depending on weather conditions:
- As with all pruning cut out dead, diseased, rubbing and crossing stems.
- If the bush is crowded cut out some old shoots completely to keep the centre open.
- Shorten all the main one-year old basal shoots by about one-third to within 25-30cm (10-12in) of the ground, making a correctly angled cut just above a healthy, outward-facing bud.
- Shorten any laterals back to two or three buds from the main stem, cutting to an outward-facing bud.
- Prune older wood back to 15-23cm (6-9in) from the ground.
- Strong shoots on newly planted cluster-flower roses can be cut back to 15-23cm (6-9in) in mid-February and weak shoots removed entirely. In the second year shorten the main shoots by about one-third and cut back laterals to 10-15cm (4-6in).
Patio and polyantha roses
Patio roses are simply small cultivars of cluster-flowered roses. Polyanthas are compact bushes with tight clusters of small flowers.
The pruning of both types is the same as for full-sized cluster-flowered roses but on a smaller scale. However, do not cut back newly planted miniatures too severely.
These roses often produce a mass of twiggy growth. After this unproductive wood has been removed, the main stems should be reduced by about one-third to a healthy bud or lateral. Remove entirely any over-vigorous shoots that spoil the shape of the bush.
Tony Dickerson