Pruning shrub rose
Advice for August in the Netherlands
This advice covers the ordinary shrub rose (Rosa). Check your rose group first: climbing roses and once-flowering old roses follow a different schedule.
Shrub rose — August
Light trim only
In the summer months keep it light: remove spent flowers and correct the odd shoot. That keeps the shrub tidy and encourages repeat flowering without weakening the plant mid-season. Save the real prune for March.
Pay attention to this
- Spent flowers and light correction only, no main prune.
- Biggest mistake: treating all roses the same; climbing roses and once-flowering old roses need a different plan.
- Always allow for frost and for differences between species and positions: postpone pruning during prolonged frost or when night frost is forecast.
See exactly where to cut
With real hands-on videos in the SnoeiWijs Tuinclub.
Frequently asked questions
- When should you prune a shrub rose?
- Do the main prune in March, once hard frost is over. From June to September stick to removing spent flowers and light correction.
- How do I prune a shrub rose without losing flowers?
- First establish which rose you have. We calmly show the exact cutting point per rose group in the Tuinclub.
- Does this also apply to climbing roses?
- No. Climbing roses and once-flowering old roses need a different pruning plan than a repeat-flowering shrub rose.