Pruning Young Roses: Why Less Is More for Long-Term Health

Mark hard-pruned his one-year-old roses to 12 inches, resulting in slow growth and no blooms. Jay explained the new science:

Root Growth Research

• Unpruned roses: Longest, healthiest roots.
• Light pruning (⅓): Good root system.
• Severe pruning: Roots half the size/length.

Variety-Specific Advice

For his floribundas ('Margaret Merrill', 'Irish Eyes', 'Fragrant Delight', 'Rhapsody in Blue'):

• Cut back to 18 inches next spring.
• Climbers ('Etoile de Hollande', 'That's Jazz'): Light pruning only—they bloom on old wood.

Climber Nuances

• 'Etoile de Hollande': Flexible canes, blooms on second-year wood.
• 'That's Jazz': Rigid, thick canes—train vertically if bending risks snapping.

Jay's quote: "Roses will grow despite what rosarians do to them."