When to prune roses, hybrid tea and grandiflora
Late winter/early spring as buds swell. They bloom on new wood; prune as buds swell so frost doesn't hit fresh cuts. The South often prunes around mid-February (Valentine's Day rule), the North as forsythia blooms.
| Type | shrub |
|---|---|
| Blooms on | new wood |
| Bloom season | late spring-fall |
| When to prune | Late winter/early spring as buds swell |
| Stop | No heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost |
Avoid
Heavy pruning in fall (stimulates tender growth).
Also
Deadhead all season; light trim in late summer in the South for fall bloom.
Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | Feb 10–Mar 10 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | Feb 24–Mar 24 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | Mar 4–Apr 1 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | Mar 13–Apr 10 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | Apr 2–30 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | Feb 13–Mar 13 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
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Sources
- University of Georgia Extension: B961: Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscape
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Pruning Shrubs
- University of Minnesota Extension: Pruning trees and shrubs
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
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