Pruning climbing roses is not hard, but there are a few facts to keep in mind before putting pruning shears to the plant. First and most important when pruning climbing roses, is to determine what type of rose is being pruned because the answer will determine several important factors. After that, the best pruning tips are to start by cutting out dead wood, and to prune roses into an open and airy shape that allows for good air circulation. Also, a day before beginning the task of pruning, climbing roses should be well watered to keep them happy and shock-free.
To distinguish a climber from a rambler, a gardener must determine when and how often the rose blooms. A climber, for example, blooms throughout the growing season on new wood. A rambler, however, blooms on both new and old wood, and blooms according to the type of rambler it is.
One group of ramblers fails to bloom its first year but blooms wonderfully in the second, with new canes coming from the base level. The second group of roses also begins to bloom the second year but new growth begins higher, about halfway up the shoots. The ramblers in the last group are the hearty type that can wind their way, perhaps 20 feet (6.09 meters)or more, up into the branches of a tree or along a wall.
Climbers should be pruned as winter is ending and spring is coming on, before new growth begins to sprout. Focus should be placed on any older canes, or canes that have already died. This allows more energy to go to healthy young canes that will bear better flowers.
Ramblers, which some beginning rose gardeners confuse with climbers, are pruned differently. Ramblers that climb a tree may need very little pruning, if any. The other two classes of ramblers should be pruned to allow for good air circulation with the aim of discouraging bacterial problems and pests, and also to shape the rose into a pleasing form.
Most climbers have thorns. For this reason, it is recommended that gardeners intent on pruning climbing roses protect themselves with long sleeves and a pair of gardening gloves. Also, gardeners should keep the pruning shears sharp, and keep them clean to prevent bacterial diseases from spreading between the various rose bushes in a garden.
Gardeners who take a little time in the very early spring to become comfortable with pruning climbing roses will be rewarded in the warmer months. Pruning will promote better plant health. It also will encourage more flowering and better blooms.