How to Prune Roses

There is something I'm looking forward to this spring: I can't wait to find out if the two roses I started from cuttings last fall took root.

It's almost time to start caring for roses, now that the threat of killing freezes is over and before they come out of their dormancy. If you are starting them bare root, they need to be planted sometimes mid-March, depending on your location.

For the existing ones wait until forsythia blooms and prune them as follows.

The roses that bloom all summer long need to be hard pruned. Remove all but three or four healthy canes, thick but still green, and cut them down to one third of their height. This applies to hybrid teas, floribundas, landscaping varieties and miniature roses.

The once blooming roses grow their flower buds on old wood and hard pruning them guarantees you won't see any blooms that year. Only do so to rejuvenate the plant if is absolutely necessary, otherwise trim just to remove crossing or damaged canes or to shape the shrub.

For climbing roses remove winter damage and tie fresh growth to the supports. Trim back side shoots to two thirds of their length. If the rose is really overgrown, thin it to ensure good air movement.

Good luck with the ramblers, they won't let you get close enough to prune them. I for one took the hint. If you manage to get close, prune them like you would a climber.
If you don't know what kind of rose you have, check out its growth: if its canes are tall and arching it's probably blooming on old wood.