Roses are the UK's most popular garden shrub, grown in an estimated 15 million British gardens. The main pruning window falls between late February and mid-March, once the worst frosts have passed but before new growth is well underway. Timing varies by region: southern England gardeners can start in late February, while Scottish and northern gardeners should wait until mid to late March.
Key takeaways
- Prune most roses between late February and mid-March in the UK, adjusting for your region and local conditions
- Always cut to an outward-facing bud at a 45-degree angle, about 5mm above the bud
- Hybrid tea roses need harder pruning than floribundas, cutting stems to 15-20cm from the base
- Climbing roses are pruned differently to ramblers. Climbers flower on old and new wood, ramblers mainly on new growth
- Remove dead, diseased, and crossing stems first before shaping the plant
- Clean secateurs between plants with a disinfectant solution to prevent spreading disease
roses pruning garden maintenance shrubs flowers spring gardening
Our team produces practical UK gardening guidance from source research, contributor records and established horticultural practice. Editorial standards are overseen by Matt W.
