How to Prune Old or Neglected Roses (Without the Stress!)

How to Prune Old or Neglected Roses (Without the Stress!)
Hello garden lovers

If you’ve just inherited a garden full of old, tangled, and downright ugly rose bushes, don’t panic, you’re not alone! Many of us find ourselves staring at thorny messes, wondering, Do I just dig these up?

The good news? You don’t have to!

In this post, we’ll walk through a super simple and friendly guide (inspired by Garden Ninja’s great video) to prune and revive even the most tired-looking rose bushes. So, grab your gloves and secateurs, let’s give those roses a fresh start!

Why Bother with Pruning?

Roses might look scary when they’re overgrown, but they just need a little TLC. Pruning helps:

Encourage new, healthy growth
Get rid of dead, diseased, or tangled wood
Shape the plant into something beautiful
Boost flowering in the spring and summer

Even if you don’t know what type of rose you’re dealing with, don’t stress. You can still make a big difference!

 Step-by-Step: Pruning Old Roses Like a Pro

1. Start in Winter

Winter is a great time to prune. The plant is asleep, so it won’t be stressed, and you can clearly see the structure of the rose.

 2. Identify the Type (if possible)

Hybrid Tea Roses (one flower per stem): You can prune these more aggressively.
Floribunda Roses (clusters of flowers): Go gentler—remove only about ¼ of the growth.

Not sure what type you have? Don’t worry—just aim to clean it up and encourage outward growth.

 3. Remove the Dead & Damaged Wood

Look for:

 Brown, brittle stems
 Thin, spindly branches
 Crossed branches growing into the middle

Cut these out first using sharp secateurs. Always cut at a 45-degree angle, just above an outward-facing bud. This tells the plant to grow out and up, not in.

 4. Tidy & Shape

Now for the fun part! Step back and look at the shape of the rose.

 Remove anything growing toward the center
 Trim back tall or leggy branches
 Try to leave a nice “vase” shape, with space in the middle

Yes, it may feel brutal—but it’s exactly what your rose needs to thrive!

 What If the Rose Is in Really Bad Shape?

Some roses are too far gone. If you’ve got one that looks like a “witch’s finger” (as Garden Ninja puts it), it’s okay to cut it back to the ground. This forces it to send up fresh, strong shoots.

With a little patience, it will reward you in the next year or two!

 What About Climbing Roses?

Climbing roses are a bit different:

Prune them in late summer or early autumn, not winter
 Focus on training one main stem and cutting off the side shoots
 Tie them gently to supports like arches or trellises
  This way, all the plant’s energy goes into producing those big, beautiful blooms.

Feed After Pruning

Once you’ve done all that snipping, give your roses a boost with some compost or well-rotted manure. Roses are hungry and will need nutrients to push out new growth.

Watch in spring as little buds sprout where you made your cuts—that’s where the flowers will bloom! 🌸

Final Thoughts

Renovating roses doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With just a bit of pruning and a dash of patience, even the most neglected rose bushes can be transformed into blooming beauties.

So, before you think about pulling them out, try giving them a second chance. A few smart cuts and some spring sunshine can work wonders!

Happy gardening