Drift roses have become incredibly popular in recent years for their compact size, disease resistance, and repeat blooming nature Their low mounding habit makes them perfect for smaller spaces or for tucking in throughout the landscape But to keep them looking their best, drift roses need some simple annual pruning. Here’s a complete guide on how to prune drift roses properly for maximum blooms.
When to Prune Drift Roses
Pruning drift roses is best done in late winter or very early spring, before new growth emerges. This allows you to shape the plant while removing any dead or damaged branches. The ideal months are typically March or April, but it depends on your USDA Hardiness Zone and when growth resumes in your area.
Pruning later than early spring runs the risk of removing new growth. You want to avoid pruning during extreme cold or heat, as this can stress the plant. Late fall pruning can stimulate growth that will get damaged by winter cold.
The only other pruning needed is light deadheading through the blooming season to encourage more flowers, And removing any dead or damaged branches as you notice them
How Often to Prune Drift Roses
Plan to prune drift roses once a year. Some gardeners also do a very light mid-summer trim, but the main pruning is a single annual trim in early spring. Drift roses are tough and bloom well with just one main pruning.
How Much to Prune Off
Drift roses respond very well to hard pruning. Most gardeners cut them back to around 6-8 inches above the ground. This helps renew the plant, create a good compact habit, allow air circulation, and encourage bountiful blooms.
After hard pruning, drift roses generally triple in size by the end of the season. So prune according to the size you want them to reach. For a bush size of 1.5-2 feet, 6-8 inches of pruning is perfect.
Step-by-Step Pruning Guide
Pruning drift roses is simple with just a few basic steps:
Gather Tools
You’ll need:
- Bypass pruning shears
- Gardening gloves (thorns!)
- Clean trash can or bag
Remove Dead or Damaged Branches
Thin out any dead, diseased, or damaged branches first. Cut those back to healthy wood.
Open Up Center
Selectively remove a few older inward facing canes from the center to improve air flow.
Cut Remaining Canes Back
Trim back all remaining healthy canes by about 1/3 their length. Cut just above an outward facing bud or leaf.
Remove Debris
Discard all pruned stems to avoid disease spread.
Stand Back
Step back periodically to check for shape and balance as you prune.
Optional Mid-Summer Trim
You can do a very light mid-summer trim, just to shape and deadhead spent blooms. Remove no more than 1/4 of the bush.
Follow Up Care
After pruning drift roses, be sure to:
- Apply fresh mulch around the base
- Resume fertilizing about 6 weeks after pruning
- Water deeply right after pruning to reduce stress
Avoid excessive fertilizer which can cause leggy growth. And don’t fertilize after mid-summer to prep for winter. A balanced rose fertilizer applied every 6-8 weeks is perfect.
Avoid Common Pruning Mistakes
To keep your drift roses looking fabulous, be sure to avoid:
- Pruning during hot or cold extremes
- Pruning too late in fall when new growth could get damaged by cold
- Not pruning enough and allowing drift roses to get leggy and open
- Pruning off more than 1/3 of the bush when deadheading in summer
- Leaving cut debris that could spread disease
Tips for Pruning Potted Drift Roses
Drift roses also do very well when grown in containers. Follow the same pruning guidelines, but you may need to prune a bit more frequently to control size.
Potted drift roses often only reach about 2/3 the size they would in the ground. Prune potted plants back to 8-10 inches to account for less vigor.
Use a sharp clean pruners and prune back to just above an outward facing leaf bud. Discard debris and fertilize pots after pruning.
Achieve Maximum Blooms
With proper annual pruning and follow up care, your beautiful drift roses will stay healthy and bloom prolifically all season long. Their disease resistance, winter hardiness, and compact shape already make them easy roses to grow. Pruning drift roses each spring keeps them looking their absolute best in any garden.
Follow these simple steps to cut back your Drift® Roses:
You will need a few basic tools when the time comes to cut back your roses: gloves, hedge shears and/or hand pruners.
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How to prune Drift Roses is just as important as when to prune Drift Roses. Prune in early spring, never in the fall or winter. Check your drift rose bush from time to time as spring moves along and when you start to see new shoots growing from the canes on your drift rose, that’s a good sign that it is time to prune.
You will need a few basic tools when the time comes for pruning drift roses: gloves, because of the thorns on your rose bush. Lopping shears, for some of the heavier canes that are going to be difficult to cut with some of the smaller shears. Small hand shears, for some of the finer work, and a pair of hedge trimmers to get the job done quickly.
Pruning Drift Roses — It’s Easy!
FAQ
When can I cut back my drift roses?
They will still perform and bloom quite well with no pruning, however will benefit from some simple and easy pruning for shaping purposes and to encourage even heavier flowering. Drift Roses can be pruned hard before new leaves begin to emerge in late winter or early spring.
What is the best month to cut back roses?
The best time to prune roses is in late winter or early spring, around the time new growth begins. This could be as early as January or as late as May, depending on your climate.
How do you manage drift roses?
Much like Knock Out Roses, Drift Roses don’t require pruning. However, as your ground cover plants mature, you may want to consider light pruning to help them maintain strength and vigor. The best time to prune Drift Roses is in the spring, but pruning Drift Roses in fall is also acceptable.
Do Drift Roses need to be pruned?
Drift Roses do not require pruning, however respond very well to it. Annual Hard Pruning Drift Roses can be pruned hard before new leaves begin to emerge in late winter or early spring. At this time, use a sharp pair of bypass hand pruners to cut the rose back to about 4-6″ above the ground.
How do you trim a drift rose?
Your Drift® Rose will usually triple in size by the end of the season after cutting it back. Step 3: Trim your rose Using hedge shears or hand pruners, trim your Drift® Rose to the desired height. Be sure to also remove any smaller or damaged canes throughout to promote better growth and air flow between branches.
Do apricot Drift Roses need to be pruned?
Apricot Drift (Rosa ‘Meimirrote’) has double flowers that are best suited for small gardens and lining walkways. While Drift roses don’t require pruning, a good trim will help the plant become denser and promote growth. Drift roses should be pruned in the later winter or early spring once a year to about a 6- to 8-inch height.