Trimming my rose bush - Ask Extension
My beautiful rose bush has become leggy and I’m not sure how or when to trim it. The internet seems to have conflicting information. It is about 4.5...
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Trimming my rose bush #931706
Asked May 14, 2026, 2:09 PM EDT
My beautiful rose bush has become leggy and I’m not sure how or when to trim it. The internet seems to have conflicting information. It is about 4.5 feet tall. Thank you!
Talbot County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi Valerie,
This appears to be a tea-rose and should be pruned early in the spring before it flowers. What you can do now is deadhead it after it finishes flowering. You can do this through August and then next year - March - prune harder. You can remove about 1/3 of the plant, making sure to remove any dead canes.
The actual technique is too complicated to describe here, but the Iowa Extension Service is an excellent source. Here's the link:
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-roses
Thanks for contacting us.
Judy
This appears to be a tea-rose and should be pruned early in the spring before it flowers. What you can do now is deadhead it after it finishes flowering. You can do this through August and then next year - March - prune harder. You can remove about 1/3 of the plant, making sure to remove any dead canes.
The actual technique is too complicated to describe here, but the Iowa Extension Service is an excellent source. Here's the link:
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-roses
Thanks for contacting us.
Judy
