PRUNING 33 



PRUNING TO PRODUCE FLOWERS 



When pruning is done to create flower growth, it has to be done at 

 the proper time to accomplish its purpose. Fall blooming shrubs, such 

 as Hydrangea paniculata, should be pruned in the late fall or early 

 spring. Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned directly after the 

 flowering period has passed. 



PRUNING ROSES 



For border or lawn roses the pruning after the first year should 

 consist of removing diseased or dead wood, or weak and crossing 

 branches. It is better to remove whole branches where necessary 

 rather than to make a practice of cutting off the ends. Most of the 

 roses of this type are benefited by having the whole top cut off every 

 five or six years. By doing the pruning in the spring it is possible to 

 leave the attractive hips to brighten the planting through the winter. 



In pruning cut-flower roses, the number and size of the blossoms 

 desired will determine the method of pruning. Severe pruning must be 

 practiced for the production of individual blossoms of great perfection 

 and for continuous bloom. Severe pruning of hybrid perpetuals con- 

 sists of cutting them back to four or five eyes. To get a great mass of 

 bloom in roses of this variety, only one-third to one-half of the shoots 

 should be cut away. Teas and hybrid teas should be pruned in the 

 same manner as described for hybrid perpetuals except that in cold 

 climates they should be trimmed later in the spring and about the time 

 the growth starts. China and Bengal roses should not be cut quite as 

 closely as the teas. Bourbon roses prefer summer pruning. Only one- 

 half of the shoots should be removed. In severe climates there should 

 be only a partial pruning in the fall. Where the winters are mild 

 the pruning can be done in the fall or early spring. In all varieties the 

 weak and crossing branches should be removed every year. 



PRUNING CLIMBING ROSES 



Climbing roses require special pruning to get an even balance be- 

 tween the old wood desired for foliage and the new wood desired for 

 flower production. Hardy climbers and the Wichuriana type should 

 be pruned just after blooming. Growth of the young shoots at the 

 base should be encouraged at this time by cutting out the old wood. 



Where more than one season's growth is required for the rose to 

 cover a trellis, the old shoots should be cut off at the ground and the 

 others shortened from 3 to 6 feet, depending upon the previous yearly 

 rate of growth. In roses of this type a few vigorous branches are more 

 desirable than weak ones. It should be constantly remembered that on 

 the new growth depends the production of the flowers of the following 



