Question
How and when do you prune Rosa Ragusa, also known as Beach Rose?? We live on Cape Cod.

Answer
Rugosas can be pruned in the early spring as that is when they have the greatest vigour and cutting them back encourages more new growth. If you like, you can use an electric hedge trimmer and simply drag it straight across the rose bush shearing back by about one third. or you can use your clippers and cut them back. I would cut out any canes coming from the base that are thinner than a pencil as they may tend to flop and not produce good flowers.