Once-Flowering Roses: A Guide to Pruning

Among the old shrub roses, the Albas, Gallicas, Damasks and Centifolias are perhaps the most familiar. The natural time to prune them is in January or February, when the plants are dormant. Begin by studying the rose carefully, working with its shape rather than against it. Cut out any old, gnarled stems right down at the base to encourage strong new growth. Then remove weak or crossing branches so that light and air can reach the centre of the bush. What remains should be a clear, balanced framework that will support healthy flowering in the season ahead.

You need not reduce the plant drastically. Roughly a third of the oldest growth is usually enough. The aim is not to force a shape, but to maintain health and promote strong, flowering canes for the following year. In some varieties, such as Gallicas, even lighter pruning is often best, preserving the soft, natural outline that gives them such charm.

Handled in this way, shrubs take on a graceful, effortless shape. Imagine a great Alba arching in pale bloom against a clipped yew hedge, or a Damask sprawling in the border, its old wood removed just enough to let new growth breathe. The beauty of these roses lies in this gentle renewal.

Climbers and ramblers have a more exuberant nature, but the principle is the same. After their summer display, remove some of the oldest stems at the base, leaving space for vigorous new growth. About a third to a half of the oldest wood can be taken out, depending on the size of the plant and how congested it has become.

New shoots should be tied in gently while still flexible. Train them outwards, or even horizontally, if possible, as this encourages flowers along the length of each stem the following summer. Without careful pruning and training, these roses can become a tangle, but with a little attention, they remain elegant and generous in bloom. Picture a rambler spilling over a stone wall, new canes fanned out like the ribs of a fan, each destined to be covered in blossom next year. Or a climber woven through a pergola, its stems drawn sideways so that the structure brims with flowers from top to bottom.

Caring for once-flowering roses is largely about restraint. Pruning is not about taming them, it is about allowing their natural beauty to shine year after year. Remove only what is necessary, and the plant rewards you with strong growth and a magnificent summer display. Their gift is fleeting, yet their presence endures, a quiet reminder that some of the loveliest things in the garden are worth waiting for.