Equipment for Pruning: Before beginning to prune it is essential to have all the correct equipment -  good quality, sharp single handed secateurs, a long handled pair of secateurs and a pruning saw. Gloves are also essential.

When to Prune: Generally roses are pruned in July, when new leaf buds begin to appear. Pruning earlier can result in frost damage as new growth appears earlier. A lighter pruning is recommended in February. Evergreen varieties, such as Lorraine Lee are pruned in March. Whatever the variety, it is important not to prune too hard. This is unnecessary in Australia due to our mild to warm climate. Hard pruning protects the plant plant from extreme cold and is therefore not relevant in Australia. Hard pruning also results in vigorous new green growth, an inviting sight for insect pests.

How to Prune: Always cut about 5mm above the bud, ensuring the cut slopes downward and away from the bud. Remove all dead wood from the main stem, then cut off any thin, weak stems. Keep as many strong stems as possible, removing any crossing, inward-growing or tangling stems.

Pruning the Different Varieties:

Hybrid Teas and Floribundas: Try to produce a "goblet-shaped" bush by always pruning to outward-facing buds and clearing the plant of inward growing branches. Floribundas are not cut back as hard as H.T.'s. You need to encourage more density in the bush so it is necessary to leave more branches.

Standards: Rather than the goblet shape of the H.T.'s and floribundas, it is desirable to create an umbrella effect with the standard. Again, remove any inward-growing branches, but a lighter prune is necessary, leaving more branches on the outer perimeter.

Climbers: Allow the canes to spread horizontally as much as possible from the centre, tying them back as they progress. Shorten canes when rose reaches desired width and height. Pruning involves cutting back the laterals, which are the offshoots along the canes. Cut back leaving 3 to 4 remaining buds.

Weeping Roses: Pruning is similar to climbers, trimming back lateral growth and allowing canes to weep downward. Over time it will be necessary to cut out old and dead canes.