Rose pruning

[fiveaday]

We bought a few DA roses last year to celebrate the birth of our daughter, they're DA 'Charlotte' bush roses, and we're looking at giving them a prune but we're new to roses so were after some advice.

DA advice says take of 3-5 inches in first year and in subsequent years a max of 1/3 of plant, however, we feel that they've got a bit too tall in places to only take of 3-5 inches and in places even to only reduce 1/3. So:

* Should we strictly adhere to the 3-5 inches?
* Could we get away with a 1/3?
* Could we get away with more?

The plants have already started budding!

* Are we too late to prune?
* Does it not matter that they're budding?
* Is there any guidance as to WHERE we should cut in relation to the buds?

They're in pots as we didn't have time last year to decide on final place.

* Are they ok in pots or would they benefit greatly by being planted out?

* If we prune back is there any way / chance to propagate new plants from the cuttings?

Sorry I know that's a lot of questions. Any advice gratefully appreciated even on a single question

[fiveaday]

A couple of pics:

[Bill Door]

Ok not a classified expert at this but from previous experience I would just cut back any stems that are crossing the centre of the shrub or crossing any other branches. Also cut out any branches that have ends that have started to die back. Take then back to just above a new bud. You could take them back a bit more but I would just leave them be.

You could have a look at

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/120564...search-results

That will help you decide which way to go, if the link does not work i just googled "rose Charlotte

At the end of autumn when the rose is dormant and the leaves have gone get out your best rose pruning tool (a chain saw) and rip through it at the height you think is pleasant and you can stand(but no lower than 8 inches). Then mulch over winter and stand back the following spring.

Before anyone says anything I had five roses that I treated in this way and they always made a nice show. It was always important to let them develop in the first year and give the ground a good feed over winter.

Good reading and good luck growing

Bill

[Thelma Sanders]

I've pruned my DA roses, today

Each year, I cut the main stems down to about a foot, as the branches can easily grow 2 or 3ft in a year.

[fiveaday]

It was always important to let them develop in the first year and give the ground a good feed over winter

Ok, I'll be a bit cautious pruning this time round. I didn't feed over winter but they were planted in a pot of new compost so hopefully that was sufficient. Great advice though, thanks

get out your best rose pruning tool (a chain saw) and rip through it

The other day I was comparing being a newbie gardener to being a first time parent. At first you're very cautious and nurturing and then after a while you realise how resilient your precious babies (plant and literal) are and that they'll cope with most things, but I don't think I'm quite ready to take a chainsaw to either yet

Each year, I cut the main stems down to about a foot, as the branches can easily grow 2 or 3ft in a year.

Excellent info, great to know. Thanks Thelma

[new gardener 1052]

Hi 5 a day,
I can't help you with your question but I was in touch with DA and they recomended Charlotte to me as a good easy rose to grow!! How are you going along and would you recommend it?

[fiveaday]

Hi new gardener, we've only had them one season but yes we'd recommend them so far.

They have a lovely subtle yellow flower and even flowered twice their first year.