We have Praire rose bushes on our garden terrace( in a large bed) facing west. The bushes are now overgrown, obstructing our view and the CN tower.
Can I cut the branches now or wait until spring?
Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners with your question regarding rose pruning. There are a few rose species that go by the common name “Prairie Rose”. Rosa setigera is tall, climbing variety and Rosa arkansana is a shrub variety. This website has helpful descriptions including Rosa setigera, and Rosa arkansana. For both species, the best time to prune is in the early spring – typically April / May in Toronto. The reasoning is that fall pruning may result in the plant trying to put out new shoots that will be killed by frost. However, if you have dead or diseased stems they can be removed now. The Toronto Master Gardeners has a helpful resource that can guide your pruning in the spring Pruning Roses: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide.
Best of luck with your Prairie Roses!
2022-09-26