A rosehip bush can form protective thickets. With its thorns, it knows how to defend itself and acts as an ideal tree for protection against birds. However, in order to keep it looking good and keep it flowering, it should be pruned regularly.

A cut is not compulsory

Basically, the dog rose or the rosehip bush does not necessarily need a pruning. It is sufficient to prune this plant every few years when it becomes excessive in its growth and threatens to displace other plants from its location.

Thin out the rosehip bush

Ideally, the rosehip bush is only thinned out and not severely cut back. The reason for this: it blooms on the wood that was trained the previous year. Excessive and imprudent pruning would cause the number of flowers to decrease sharply or the flowering to fail completely.

Thinning can be done all year round. However, it is recommended in autumn. All disturbing shoots are removed. The new shoots should not be cut off, as they will bear the flowers of the shrub the following year. The branches cut off during pruning can then be used to propagate this plant.

Make a radical cut

Although it is sufficient to thin out the rosehip bush, it can be advisable to cut it back radically every three to four years. There are mutliple reasons for this:

  • after this time most of the shoots are lignified and
    old and therefore less willing to flower
  • holes like to appear in the bush
  • to maintain a respectable growth habit
  • for even growth

The radical pruning of this plant is carried out in the autumn between October and the beginning of December on frost-free days. The shoots are shortened by 1/4 to half. The scissors are applied 5 mm above a new shoot that is pointing outwards.

It is important to pay attention to this

The following must be observed when pruning the dog rose:

  • Cut at an angle so that the wounds heal quickly
  • use sharp rose scissors to cut and wear gloves to protect against the thorns
  • remove dead and diseased wood down to the base
  • Cut back branches infested with pests
  • severely cut back weak shoots

tips and tricks

Cut away old wood regularly, as it is more susceptible to pests and costs the dog rose unnecessary strength.

KKF

Category:

Vegetable garden