How to Prune and Train Climbing Roses

Climbing roses bring both height and elegance to any garden. With their ability to produce multiple streams of blooms, they can transform vertical spaces like fences, trellises, and walls into vibrant displays.

However, they require specific pruning techniques to ensure healthy growth and continuous flowering.

Understanding the Best Time to Prune Climbing Roses

Unlike many other rose varieties, climbing roses have a unique pruning schedule. Most roses are pruned during the dormant season, from fall to winter.

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This period allows the plant to recover and direct energy toward the next blooming season. However, for climbing roses, only side shoots need pruning, as this helps develop a strong structure for the plant to climb and spread.

Why Prune Only the Side Shoots?

Climbing roses grow differently from traditional roses. Instead of cutting back the main canes, pruning is focused on the side shoots—the smaller branches that grow off the main stems.

By pruning these, you gradually build a solid framework that can be tied or trained to fences, walls, or arbors. This method encourages horizontal growth, which results in more blooms along the length of the stems.

When to Prune Climbing Roses

While most roses are pruned in winter, climbing roses are an exception. The best time to prune them is right after flowering in the early summer or late spring.

This timing allows the plant to focus on new growth that will produce the next round of flowers, ensuring a vibrant display for the next season.

Steps to Prune and Train Your Climbing Rose

Identify the Side Shoots: Look for the smaller branches that extend from the main canes.
Cut Back the Side Shoots: Trim these back to about two or three buds from the main cane. This encourages growth along the length of the main stems.
Tie and Support the Canes: Use soft garden ties to secure the main canes to your chosen support. Train them horizontally for a fuller and more spread-out bloom.
Remove Dead or Diseased Wood: This keeps the plant healthy and directs energy toward strong, productive canes.

Benefits of Pruning Climbing Roses Properly

Proper pruning and training help climbing roses thrive, leading to more abundant and larger blooms.

Additionally, a well-pruned climbing rose is easier to maintain and has a neat, organized appearance in the garden.

With the right care, your climbing roses will reward you with lush, beautiful blooms year after year.

To see these steps in action, check out this helpful Heirloom Roses video guide, where owner Ben Hanna demonstrates the process of pruning and training climbing roses for optimal growth.