Pruning Roses - Don't Waste

Do we dream of spectacular rose bushes full of petals? We must dedicate some of our time and care to pruning them properly. pruning roses It is a delicate operation, but particularly important for the lush flowering of our rose gardens, and we must not get either the timing or the method wrong.

Index of topics

The right time

The first thing to know is that roses are pruned in period in which I am at rest, which goes roughly between the end of January to end of March, depending on the variety of roses and the climate.

Pruning is also important to shape the form of shrubs and plants, so that they can adapt better even to small spaces, such as balconies or terraces, and it is a non-traumatic operation for the roses, provided that it is done with the right instruments and never in full winter or when it is very cold.

The tools

There are basically two tools needed to prune roses: a well-sharpened stainless steel shear for the younger and smaller branches and a hacksaw for thicker branches. Let's also equip ourselves with a good pesticide to be applied after cutting to avoid contaminating the other branches with possible parasites.

Pay attention to the younger branches: they must be treated with particular care, with less vigorous cuts, and we leave a sufficient number of buds to be able to see them reborn even healthier, stronger and more luxuriant.

The branches to be cut are the sick and the old, taking care to keep the pruning proportional to the size and theage of the plant. Don't overdo it It's always good advice to give, and wait at least a year after the first flowering it is a universal valid for every plant.

As for the variety of roses, it is necessary differentiate the type of pruningBush roses should be thinned, removing excess branches and favoring sturdy ones to allow light to filter through and nourish the plant. Climbing roses, on the other hand, require complete removal of their leaves. Be careful with old and miniature roses; prune only the dead branches and only the dry branches.

Pruning stages

The most important stages of pruning are:

Remove dead or damaged woodFirst, remove all dry, dead, or damaged parts of the plant. This allows the plant to focus its energy on the healthy parts.
Pruning of diseased partsIf there are any branches that appear diseased (for example, if they show signs of mold or malformations), they should be removed.
Prune older branchesBranches older than 3-4 years and not producing new shoots should be pruned. Generally, they should be shortened to about 15-20 cm above the base.
Form a balanced shapePruning should encourage an open, balanced shape, with the main branches developing harmoniously. Avoid crossing or overlapping branches to allow for good air circulation.
Oblique cutsWhen cutting a branch, always do so at a 45-degree angle, 5 mm above an outward-facing bud. This will allow the cut to drain, preventing rot and encouraging new shoot growth.

Schools

Even though it is not a difficult operation, it is good to know how to prune roses in a conscious and correct way, for this reason there are many nurseries and gardening schools which offer courses or actual pruning “schools”.

Here are the best, divided by region.

Lazio

Taroni Nursery (Rome)

For years, Taroni Nursery has been organizing a course for all enthusiasts who wish to learn pruning, cultivation, and rose care techniques. Participation is free but is limited to 12 people to facilitate learning.

Casacocò (Manziana, RM)

In the beautiful setting of the Casacocò farmhouse in Manziana, in the province of Rome, rose pruning and care courses are held annually in February, led by instructors from the Environmental Service of the Municipal Rose Garden of Rome.

RossoTiziano Antique Rose Nursery (San Cesareo, RM)

San Cesareo is a municipality within the metropolitan area of Rome, just a few kilometers away. Here, upon registration, the RossoTiziano nursery offers half-day pruning courses, with a certificate and handouts provided.

Horti di Veio (Rome)

The Horti di Veio nursery in Rome regularly organizes rose cultivation and pruning courses, hosted in the nursery's facilities and taught by technicians, agronomists, and professional nursery gardeners. Keep an eye on the nursery's Facebook page for updates on dates, as registration is always required, while courses are available free of charge or for a fee.

Flower Museum (Acquapendente, VT)

Moving to Tuscia, in the province of Viterbo, the Flower Museum and the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve invite enthusiasts, rose lovers, and the simply curious to participate in rose-pruning courses in a truly spectacular location.

Rose Garden Vacunae Rosae (Roccantica, RI)

Even in the Rieti area there are pruning courses and lessons: the Vacunae Rosae rose garden, which hosts five thousand varieties of roses, often organizes theoretical and practical pruning lessons.

Lombardia

FOR.MA – Mantua Training (Mantua)

The Special Training Agency of the Province of Mantua offers an annual professional training course on rose pruning techniques for all enthusiasts who wish to learn more. A certificate is awarded upon completion of the course, following an exam, and practical lessons are also offered.

Re-blooming Roses (Ciliverghe di Mazzano, BS)

The nursery, specializing in roses, offers three-hour mini-pruning courses. They're ideal for those who don't have much time to spare.

Quistini Castle (Rovato, BS)

In the province of Brescia, in Rovato to be precise, lies this beautiful 1600th-century estate, surrounded by a rose garden that is a veritable nursery with over 1500 varieties of roses, including English roses. This beautiful manor hosts periodic theoretical and practical courses in rose pruning and cultivation.

Veneto

Novaspina Nursery (Teolo, PD)

Just outside Padua, the Novaspina nursery offers a comprehensive pruning course, open to all. A helpful illustrated handout is available for hands-on practice of the various pruning techniques, along with all the necessary explanations for each category. The same course will also be held at the Della Colombara Nurseries in Cittadella, just a few kilometers from Padua.

La Campanella Nursery (Cervarese Santa Croce, Padua)

Still near the city of Padua, La Campanella nursery organizes annual pruning courses to teach these techniques in practice. They also have extensive textbooks available for those who want to delve deeper into the theory.

Gardin Plants (Santa Maria di Sala, VE)

Moving to the province of Venice, the Gardin nursery organizes courses on the ABC of rose pruning to learn the rudiments of this technique, held in synergy with the Novaspina nursery.

Forte Mezzacapo Nursery (Zelarino, VE)

Still near the Serenissima, the Forte Mezzacapo Nursery also holds a course, during the winter, on rose care and pruning, dealing mainly with ancient rose varieties.

Piedmont

Maurizio Feletig Farm (Arignano, TO)

A few kilometers from Turin, a pruning course dedicated to Old Roses is organized every year. The course consists of a theoretical part, held in the morning, on the differences between pruning shrubs and climbing plants, followed by a practical part, with shears in hand.

Emilia Romagna

Vivaverde Nursery (Imola, BO)

In the lush Romagna region, a few kilometres from Bologna, the Vivaverde nursery in Imola organises basic and advanced courses to help us prune our roses.

Les Collettes Nursery, (San Bartolo, RA)

Moving toward the Po Delta, in the province of Ravenna, we find Les Collettes Nursery, a small garden nursery that produces heirloom and botanical roses. This unique nursery specializes in Pimpinellifolia roses and hosts an annual pruning course during the last weekend of January, taught by Maurizio Feletig, of the eponymous farm.

Ancient Rose Museum (Serramazzoni, MO)

In the province of Modena, there's a very special museum: the Ancient Rose Museum, which often organizes a day dedicated to growing and pruning roses at its premises. The day consists of a theoretical part, covering the anatomy of the rose, its life cycle, and the little secrets that make for successful pruning; and a second, practical part, where everyone will work on mature bushes and climbers.

Toscana

Rose Barni (Pistoia)

One of the most famous rose nurseries in Italy is located near Pistoia, run by a team of technicians and rose experts. The annual pruning course lasts one day and is divided into a theoretical part, a real lesson, explaining the various methods to adopt for each class or group of roses. Following this, the practical part includes the opportunity to prune a few rose plants in the garden/rose garden.

Mondo Rose (Sieci, FI)

Just outside Florence, Mondo Rose Nursery is a busy organizer of gardening and DIY courses. Its homemade soap-making course is well-known. As for roses, the nursery owners annually organize a two-level course: a beginner's course for budding gardeners with little or no experience, and an advanced course for those who demonstrate some experience or have completed a basic level.

Le Rose di Firenze Nursery (Florence)

In the capital of the Tuscany region, the Le Rose di Firenze nursery organizes personalized one-day courses on rose care for groups of at least 5 people.

The Rose Garden (Chiesanuova, Florence)

In the Chianti hills, there's a unique nursery of old and classic roses, English roses, and clematis, nestled in a large Mediterranean garden. All plants are grown organically, and every year, in January and February, rose pruning courses are held, particularly for old and classic roses.

Umbria

When the roses bloom (Assisi, PG)

A nursery and garden with an evocative and very unique name, with a romantic feel, it specializes exclusively in English roses. This is precisely why these rose varieties are so well cared for. This is a very unique course, modeled after the prestigious one held at the Austin Gardens in Birmingham, under the direction of Richard Stubbs of David Austin Roses, one of the world's most famous rose hybridizers.

Puglia

Casanatura Nursery (Talsano, TA)

Just a few minutes' drive from the city of Taranto, the Casanatura nursery offers a rose planting and pruning course for hobbyists and enthusiasts, focusing on rose pest and fungal issues. A certificate will be awarded at the end of the course.

How to prune roses