They bloom profusely. It almost looks like a sea made up of nothing but flowers. You can hardly see any leaves. But without a visit from the rose scissors from time to time, the abundance of flowers on the ground cover roses will not last long. When is the right time to cut? How do you go about it in detail?

Ground cover roses can also be cut for the vase

Thin out in autumn or spring

There are those who only prune ground cover roses in the spring, but there are also those who prune them in the fall. When you prune your ground cover roses is up to you! In principle, however, a cut in the spring is more advisable, since shoots frozen by frost can be removed immediately.

When pruning in spring or fall, cut away the following:

  • old shoots
  • dried shoots
  • sick shoots
  • weak shoots
  • dead shoots
  • shoots growing inwards
  • crossing shoots
  • shoots growing downwards
  • wild shoots

Cut back heavily every 4 to 5 years

In contrast to hybrid tea, rambler and shrub roses, ground cover roses should only be cut back heavily every 4 to 5 years. This keeps her growth compact, dense and vigorous. The rose bush is stimulated to form new shoots.

When pruning, the plant is shortened to about 15 cm. There should still be 1 to 2 eyes per shoot afterwards. The right time for such a radical cut is early spring. You can use both rose shears and hedge shears (€24.99) for this. Groundcover roses are usually hardy.

But there are also certain exceptions that can tolerate such a radical cut every year and for which it is advisable every year. These include, for example, the varieties 'The Fairy' and 'Swany'.

Clean out the old flowers in summer?

While the wilted flowers of other types of roses are easy to clean, this is difficult with ground cover roses. Due to the low growth, the tangled shoots and the many thorns, it is a tedious task to remove the old flowers every week.

It is better if you wait until flowering is over, around July. Then cut down the entire plant a bit. It will sprout again and with luck there will be a second bloom towards the middle/end of August. Attention: Not all varieties bloom twice a year!

Propagation: Cut cuttings

Aside from nurturing, pruning ground cover roses can also serve to propagate them. You just have to find suitable shoots. The shoots should be about 10 cm long, straight and healthy. The lower leaves and any flowers are removed and the cutting is placed in the moist soil.

tips

Make sure the cutting tool is sharpened and cleaned well before use! This is the only way to avoid infection with fungal pathogens that may be present on the cutting tool and the cut can be carried out properly.

Category:

Vegetable garden