Thin out in autumn or spring
There are those who do not cut ground cover roses until spring, but there are also those who cut them in autumn. When you cut your ground cover roses is up to you! Basically, however, a pruning in spring is more recommended, as shoots frozen by frost can be removed immediately.
also read
- Cutting ground cover roses: in spring or autumn?
- Care of ground cover roses: pruning, fertilizing and more
- What is the planting distance between ground cover roses?
When pruning in spring or autumn, cut away the following:
- old shoots
- withered shoots
- sick shoots
- weak shoots
- dead shoots
- inwardly growing shoots
- crossing shoots
- shoots growing downwards
- Wild shoots
Prune heavily every 4 to 5 years
In contrast to hybrid tea roses, rambler roses and shrub roses, ground cover roses should only be severely pruned every 4 to 5 years. This keeps their growth compact, dense and strong. The rose bush is stimulated to develop new shoots.
When pruning, the plant is shortened to about 15 cm. 1 to 2 eyes should then still be present per shoot. The right time for such a radical cut is early spring. You can use both rose shears and hedge shears (€ 135.56 at Amazon *) for this. Ground cover roses are usually robust.
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 up the old flowers in summer?
While the wilted flowers of other types of roses are easy to clean, this is difficult with the 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 little. It will sprout again and with luck there will be a re-flowering towards the middle / end of August. Warning: not all varieties bloom twice a year!
Propagation: cut cuttings
In addition to care, a cut of ground cover roses can also serve to propagate them. You just have to find suitable shoots. The shoots should be about 4 inches long, straight, and healthy. The lower leaves and any flowers are removed and the cutting is placed in the moist soil.
Tips
Make sure that the cutting tool is sharpened and well cleaned before use! This is the only way to avoid infection with fungus pathogens that may be present on the cutting tool and the cut can be carried out properly.
