Can I prune my very top heavy climbing rose bush in July?

Question

My red climbing rosebush is leaving very heavily forward.  Can I prune it now (July)?  Also how can I trellis it up so I can enjoy it - I am always worried about it and how top heavy it is.

William · Answer

If you don't have a trellis, you can buy one or make one! I used a 2'x8' lattice panel, screwed it to two 2'x2'x8' boards and sunk them in the ground behind the rose. I use polyester twine and tie the branches loosely to the lattice.

During the flowering season, in warmer zones, I also recommend summer pruning between each flush of flowers, particularly when growing the more vigorous varieties. This helps to maintain the height and shape of the shrub and encourages quicker repeat flowering. In warmer climates, they tend to grow more vigorously and can become too tall.

To prevent this, make sure you summer prune after each flush of flowering as opposed to simply deadheading. The aim is to improve repeat flowering and to maintain the overall shape of the plant.

After each flush of flowers has finished, cut back the flowering stems to two or three sets of leaves. You may also notice that the occasional new long, strong stem will appear from the base of the shrub, or sometimes grows higher up from older branches. These can grow quickly above the frame of the plant and look a little out of place at first. These stems are in fact very beneficial, forming strong, healthy new stems which will flower next season. I recommend that you trim these new stems back slightly when carrying out summer pruning, just enough to maintain the nicely rounded shape of the shrub.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Pruning any shrubs in Summer is critical.If you decide to do the task make sure it is very early in the morning as heat will add more stress to the rose bush.Bushes should really be trained on trellis at the sign of first growth emerging. You may have to do this one step at a time in order for the training process to work. Start at the bottom using velcro tape found in garden centers and work up.

Melissa Mooney Sexson · Answer

I would very highly recommend not pruning over summer months.  Wait until January or February to prune, and ideally, remove no more than one third of the growth at first pruning, and as suggested by William from IL., give the rose bush some support on which to grow!

Susi Downs · Answer

I usually prune mine anytime after they flower. I do have a climbing one that does not have a trellis and so I have to keep it pruned back. I have found that the more I prune the fuller it gets. Also I will cut it down almost to the ground in fall and so far they have come back heartier.

Ranger · Answer

Yes, pruning after flowering is best.  Also, if you prune late in the day they have the night to get used to it.  I have personally found roses aren't necessarily as fussy as one would think.  I prune with no mercy and they seem to love it.  If your roses tend to be top heavy, make sure your trellis is extra solid at the top also to support it.  A bamboo fan is good as you can keep adding 'crossbars' along the top as the roses climb up.

Sophia,M.,McConnery · Answer

After they have flowered is the best time to prune!

Redcatcec · Answer

I would increase the top support of your rose bush. but feel free to cut off the dead heads. Do the major pruning in the cold months.

Mogie · Answer

The best time to perform major pruning (removing one or more canes) on a climber is right after it has finished flowering.

Can I prune my very top heavy climbing rose bush in July?

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Can I prune my very top heavy climbing rose bush in July?

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