Trimming & Training

Get your climbers looking good, and your garden off to a good spring start.

- Ludwig Taschner

Pruning climbing roses involves getting onto a ladder, cutting off the old ties, spreading the stems and branches, and cutting out obvious old woody stems that don’t resprout well. Once that is done, spiral or espalier the remaining stems and long canes into positions where you want them to flower. Since not all stems are cut back, delaying the task into August means they will still flower in October.

Off to a good start

As the weather warms up in August the roses start sprouting, and once again the rose garden is alive. For a stellar performance in October, treat your roses like thoroughbred race-horses and give them all the nutrients, water and attention they need.