Question: How do I prune climbing roses?

Answer: Immediately after their biggest spring floral display has finished you should remove all the weak, internal stalks and cut the main stems back to 4 to 6 feet from the ground. That generally means you’d be removing some 50 percent of the top growth. Always prune just above a bud that faces out from the center of the plant. Pruning you do at other seasons should be primarily to restore the shape. For example, if you have canes leaning out into an alley that you use to get to your driveway, you don’t want to wait until May to remove them. Prune them as needed.

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