Rose bushes . . .

[wormstyle]

I picked up a new mulch install and hedge trimming today and he would like me to prune about 3 rose bushes that are pretty out of control. As crazy as it is I can't ever remember pruning roses. I did a search and looks like the key idea is to get rid of all old branches and only leave the new young growths. Plus it looks like this is the wrong time of year to do it, how bad is it to prune at wrong time of year?


Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Weedfree]

I just consulted a rose forum on that very issue. It is ok to do it now. And you are correct about removal of old wood down to the base and shape the remainder, if necessary.
Rule of thumb is to remove a third of the oldest wood every year so it is a completely new shrub every 3 years.

[Scaper-S2k]

If they are something like a Knock Out Rose, you can cut them back pretty far. We have pruned them back pretty much at any time during the year and they bounce back very well. But they are pretty strong roses.

I would first go in with a pair of loppers and thin them out. Then go in with some hand pruners and prune back the rest to the size they want. Or at least close to the size they wanted.

[wormstyle]

Thanks for the advice!

[MASTERMOWER]

Roses are picky boogers...

and that's why I hate them. Correct pruning isn't a simple task. I'd highly suggest performing a google search on your issue and read up on the matter from state extension sites.

Like this: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...ension&spell=1

[comfortlawn]

if they are not bush type prune deadwood off and new back to just above 5 leaf stem

[Scaper-S2k]

Knockout roses aren't picky Mastermower. At least not the ones around here. They can take a heck of a beating.