Article: Prune your rose bush as soon as the weather starts to warm up—usually right after the last frost so that your rose bush is not damaged by the cold. During this time, the buds should start to swell.  You can determine the expected last frost date by using the Old Farmer's Almanac website. Input your zip code into the field at https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates. Check the rose bush for signs of new leaf growth and if the buds are starting to grow red in color. For most people, this means pruning in the early spring. Pruning dead and unnecessary branches will allow the center of your rose bush to grow healthier. Rub the shears with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to sterilize them before you start pruning. Cleaning and sterilizing your rose bush will prevent it from getting diseased. Make sure that your shears are sharp or you could cause damage to the bush. Make your cuts right above an outward facing bud, or a thorn that is facing away from the center of the plant. Avoid cutting in a straight line. Cutting at a 45-degree angle will help the cane heal quicker and prevent water from pooling on the cut. Cut off the all the dead and diseased looking canes in your rose bush, because it can spread to the rest of your plant. Cut dead or diseased branches down to the crown of the bush. Diseased branches will often have spots or look withered or dying.  You can tell that a cane is dead or diseased if it has dead leaves and is “woody,” characterized by a dried and brown appearance. Dead branches will be brown, rather than green in the center when you cut them. Prune canes that are crossing or branches that are growing outward. Pruning the canes surrounding the center of the plant allows for better exposure to the sun. A healthy, fully grown rose bush typically has 4-7 healthy, vertically growing canes. Cut off the top portion of growth during the early spring. This will allow your rose bush to grow and bloom new flowers during the new blooming season. Cut off all the branches towards the top of the bush so that the bush itself is only 18 inches (46 cm) high.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Prune your rose bush after the last frost. Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle above an outward facing bud. Cut dead and diseased branches. Prune crossing and outward growing canes. Prune the top of the bush so that it’s 18 inches (46 cm) high.