Gardening in America - Pruning climbing roses

Proper pruning helps to ensure that climbing roses have flowers that are evenly distributed and not just at the top, as well as helps to maintain the health and vitality of the plant.

No, climbing roses should not be pruned back severely like bush roses because the canes of climbing roses grow one year and flower the next year. Severe pruning can result in a loss of flowers.

It is important to get rid of the old canes of climbing roses and encourage new canes to grow. This helps to revitalize the plant and promote healthy growth.

Climbing roses should be pruned in late winter or early spring.

The only pruning that should be done the following year is to let the new canes grow to the desired length and then tip them on the ends. This helps to encourage secondary growth and maintain the shape of the roses.