Seek rose expert’s advice on ‘drastic’ pruning

Usual practice is to trim bushes back by a third in height and width

Q: Is it too early to drastically cut rose bushes? — TK, Albuquerque

A: First, I need to apologize as I neglected announcing the annual rose pruning event at Tony Hillerman Library earlier this month. A big ooops on my part.

Here in Albuquerque we have a society of rose enthusiasts that maintains the rose garden at the library and have tended to this marvel for years. I would have suggested that you go to the annual rose pruning event, adopt a Rosarian and get educated. Again, a big ooops on my part.

Meanwhile you are able to contact the Albuquerque Rose Society through its website, according to the Albuquerque Garden Center, at albuquerquerose.com. The society does have monthly meetings (second Wednesday of most months, see the calendar at the

Garden Center) and perhaps you would be able to arrange a meet & greet to be more informed on how to care for your roses. Now, “too early to drastically cut rose bushes?” Boy, that’s scary. Not knowing what type of rose you have and how drastically you want to cut it back makes me nervous. I’m going to suggest that you take the roses back about a third in height and width. Please make sure that the bushes have leaves left on them below where you cut. Taken back to the nubbins, the rose that was grafted on — the one you paid for — might not be strong enough to grow back. What you might see coming back could be growth from the root stock that your bush was grafted to.

Take a good look at your bushes. Near ground level there is probably a knot or fist-looking growth. That knot is called a “Bud Union.” Below the knot is what’s called root stock. This rose is usually a sturdy old variety that wears very simple, almost bland flowers. The hybrid rose that is grafted onto the root stock, the pretty rose you chose, grows from that union or marriage if you will.

Taken back too far the hybrid might not be strong enough to regrow, but the “old” rose might. So, I believe you are taking quite a chance by cutting back your bushes “drastically.”

I would suggest you contact the Rose Society for guidance. This bunch of people are passionate about roses, and when you reach out, they just might be willing to guide you with your rose pruning.

Since the weather has been so mild as of late, I will say that taking off the third now should be OK. But for the “drastic” pruning, please see if you can enlist a member of the Rose Society to guide you. And who knows, you might be so enamored with this group that you become a member and encourage the planting of this sturdy, easy to grow plant! Good luck!

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Do you know that here in the Metro area there are 16 Council Garden Clubs and Societies composed of people that are dedicated to plants?! On the Albuquerque Garden Center’s website, albuquerquegardencenter.org, in the tool bar, you can find the listing of the different clubs/societies to get connected. Enjoy this early spring season and be Happy Diggin’ In!