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Ask a Gardening QuestionGardening Questions & Answers: How to garden questionsHard pruning a shrub rose

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Hard pruning a shrub rose

#1 · 17th March 2024, 1:13 pm

Morning Lee, I’ve an old shrub rose. It’s very tall with a thick woody stem at the base that’s about 50cm in length, there aren’t any visible buds on it. I want to really reduce the height of the rose. David Austin advise I can I hard prune into the thick woody stem but I’d like your opinion mate. Is it ok to cut in to the thick woody main stem (see photo) and how long should it take for the rose to recover with new shoots? Many thanks! 🙏

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#2 · 18th March 2024, 9:22 am

Hi @tim-atkins

Thanks for your comment on how to prune a rose from my YouTube channel guide.

It can be really confusing for new or beginner gardeners to prune roses as it often feels super brutal and the online guides can be rather vague. When they say cut above a node, what exactly is this? Let's start at the basics, and then I'll show you where to prune your rose based on the example picture.

What is a node on a rose plant?

A rose plant node is a small, protruding area on the stem where leaves, branches, or flowers emerge. It appears as a slight swelling or bump along the stem and is typically accompanied by a leaf or leaf scar. Nodes are crucial for growth as they serve as points of attachment for leaves and buds. On rose plants, nodes often have small thorns or stipules near them, which are small, leaf-like structures. New growth, such as lateral shoots or flower buds, may emerge from nodes, contributing to the plant's overall development and flowering.

Nodes look like tiny bumps or nodules (nodes) on any branch or stem. You can run your fingers down, and where you feel a bulge, that's usually where the node is.

Where to prune an old rose

In your example, there are two nodes on the old growth or hardwood that I'd cut just above at a 45-degree angle away from the node. I've selected these nodes as they face outwards; you don't want inward-growing nodes as they just cause congestion.

Taking back this vigorous shrub rose to the old wood is fine, and the best time to do it is in late winter. You will get away with it if you make the cuts now in the next week or so! It may reduce the rose's vigour ever so slightly.

These two cuts will cause growth to break out at the outward-facing nodes below, creating a more balanced shape. It may feel brutal, but it will recover, so don't panic!

Let us know how you get on!

Lee Garden Ninja

#3 · 18th March 2024, 7:08 pm

Lee, you absolute superstar!

Thanks so much for such a comprehensive answer. Amazing to have you about as a go to for advice!

Tim

Lee Garden Ninja has reacted to this post.

#4 · 19th March 2024, 8:25 am

Thanks @tim-atkins

If you like my work and value my advice, I'm always grateful for a Google review as it helps bring more beginner gardeners to my site and shares the knowledge further!

https://g.page/gardenninja/review?gm

All the best

Lee Garden Ninja