nurtomiA careful start with roses
The best timing depends on the type of rose and your climate.
What to look for
Identify the kind of rose and its flowering habit before shaping it. Find dead or damaged canes, healthy buds and the direction a branch grows; timing and the amount to remove vary by variety.
What to do
Use clean, sharp shears. When shortening an appropriate cane, cut just above a healthy outward-facing bud without damaging it. Remove only what you can identify and consult local, variety-specific guidance.