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How/when to prune this rambler/climber?

14 years ago

I've got a bush that give a glorious display of red flowers mid-May through June. Not sure if it's a climber or a rambler? The canes get to be at least 15 feet long and are mostly straight shoots, but some of them branch off here and there. This is a hardy plant that the previous owners planted, probably 15 years ago. It's my 6th year in the house and I'm still trying to figure out how and when to prune it.

Last season I mostly ignored it and it gave quite a show. This spring, however, I've had to prune out A LOT of dead branches. There are only 3 canes that I think are worth saving; the rest are definitely last year's growth (if not from the year before that). The leaves are a little bit on the yellow side, so I put scratched some "iron safe" into the ground around the dripline. I'm thinking that I will prune it hard in July and leave only the 3 green canes. I'm pretty sure the older canes will flower next month so I hate to cut them out right now - even if they aren't looking 100%.

Does this sound like a good plan? Like I said, I'm still trying to figure this one out!

Thanks friends!

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Comments (6)

karl_bapst_rosenut
14 years ago
Sounds like you have a once a year blooming Dr. Huey, the root stock used by many commercial rose growers. I suspect when the previous owners planted the bush it was a different rose which died and the root stock took over.
Once a year blooming roses should be pruned after they bloom. Prunng before it blooms or in the fall removes the buds which are set in the fall.
Without a soil test, I question your use of Ironsafe. I'd use an organic fertilizer like Rosetone or just simple horse manure. They don't change the chemical composition of the soil like chemical fertilizers or an iron suppliment. They do enrich the soil and add organics to it.
peace_rose
Original Author
14 years ago
Oops. Oops on the pruning I did today and oops on the Ironsafe!
Could it be possible that the yellowing of the leaves is due to the wood mulch I've been using? It's made from mulched up Christmas trees.
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karl_bapst_rosenut
14 years ago
Wood mulch can pull nitrogen out of the soil as it decomposes. Fertilizing well during the growing season will supply all the nutrients needed in spring until you can safely fertilize after the first bloom.
Any pruning you did before it bloomed, except to remove dead or damaged canes, cut off blooms.
Repeat blooming roses can be pruned in the spring.
Were it mine, I'd shovel prune it, (remove it), and replace with a hardy repeat blooming climber or a bush unless you like it that much.
peace_rose
Original Author
14 years ago
Ha! I like that term - shovel prune!
It is a heck of a lot of work for a once-a-year show. Thanks for the advice!
york_rose
14 years ago
Here's a good picture of Dr. Huey's flowers (in case you're wondering what it looks like). The flowers are approximately 2" wide.
peace_rose
Original Author
14 years ago
That's definitely not it. I've seen a lot of those around here in Denver where roses are pretty easy to grow - you can tell when it reverts back to the root stock. Whatever I've got is more red, and quite a beauty. Thanks for posting the photo - the process of elimination helps!

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