Expert: C.L. Fornari - 10/8/2005

Question
How do I cut my Roses back for the fall.  They have bloomed on and off all summer and are getting kind of over grown now.

Answer
Bob,
If you can possibly stand to wait, the best time to prune roses is in the early spring.  This is because woody plants store food (carbohydrates) in their stems that they use for their winter survival.  If you can wait, prune your roses when the forsythia blooms (if you have forsythia in your area) or when the new red buds appear on the rose stems.  At that time, first totally remove anything dead (any stem without red buds) - then prune down as far as you'd like, keeping in mind that each red bud has the potential to grow into a stem with flowers at the end of it.  So the shorter you prune them down the fewer flowers you will have that year.  On older plants it is also good to take one or two of the oldest canes down to about 5 inches above the ground.  This stimulates new growth from the base of the plant.

I hope this helps!
C.L.