The collective term “ground cover roses” includes various types of small shrubs that have one thing in common: their compact, widespread growth. When you should cut ground cover roses depends on the variety. We explain whether summer pruning is an option to encourage a second bloom or whether you should wait until fall.
When should you cut the ground cover roses: does it make sense to cut now?
The ground cover roses are small shrubs that can reach a maximum height of 100 cm. As a rule, most varieties remain lower and grow to around 60 cm high. Thanks to herwidespread spread in the garden, you can suppress weeds. Therefore, they prove to be a welcome alternative to lawns. The small shrub roses cut a particularly good figure in the cottage garden.
When it comes to flowering times, many ground cover rose varieties bloom two to four times a year. The flowering continues into autumn. The perennials do not need regular pruning. This is only done if necessary.
In contrast to other roses, ground cover roses are very easy to cut. There are no hard and fast rules as to how deep you should cut them and the age of the shoots does not play a role in bud formation.
Ground cover roses in summer: cut off the dead ones, encourage a second bloom
Most ground cover roses do not require pruning to bloom for a second time at the end of summer. However, if the dead flowers are not removed, flower production will decrease in August. It is therefore worth cutting off the old flowers at the beginning of August. This cut is also recommended because withered flowers are entry points for bacteria and fungi.
By the way, you should always cut ground cover roses early in the morning. Water the plants one day before cutting, preferably from below. Do not prune the plants when it is raining or when the leaves and flowers are wet. Atlong periods of heatYou should water the plants thoroughly a week before cutting and protect them from the strong rays of the sun in the first few days after cutting. Otherwise you risk sunburn. The small shrubs recover quickly from gentle summer pruning.
Cutting ground cover roses: The “Snowflake” variety benefits from summer pruning
For the “Snowflake” variety, you should shorten the shoots that have faded to the first pair of leaves. You do not need to regularly remove the withered flowers; it is sufficient if you cut off the old flowers once in August. This variety is particularly fond of blooming and thanks you with a splendor of flowers that, if well cared for, will decorate the garden until October.
Cut the “Fairy” variety
The “Fairy” variety scores with compact growth and a long flowering period. Similar to the “Snowflake” variety, you can cut off any dead flowers at the beginning of August to encourage the next flower formation. However, the caring cut is carried out in spring when old, frozen and diseased shoots are completely removed. In addition, you can thin out the perennials a little if necessary.
You should keep this in mind when cutting the “Gärtnerfreude” variety
The ground cover rose “Gärtnerfreude” first forms a bloom in spring and can then bloom a second time in late summer and autumn if the withered flowers are removed at the beginning of August. The same applies in this case: shorten the shoots down to the first pair of leaves.
Cutting back ground cover roses: in autumn or spring?
Pruning in spring: All types of roses, whether large bushes or small varieties, tolerate pruning best in spring. This should only be done when necessary, normally you need to do it every three years. All shoots are cut to 20 cm (but do not cut into the old wood). Sick, inwardly growing, frozen shoots or branches with sunburn (when pruned in autumn) are completely removed. Before cutting, you should check the plant thoroughly for pests and diseases. Dispose of the clippings with household waste if you notice signs of an infestation.
Pruning in autumn: If the weather forecast for the next 30 days is favorable, you can also prune the ground cover roses in autumn. The best time is right aftersecond blossom. This usually ends in September – October. Even if the respective variety is not sensitive to frost, you should not cut it back in late autumn. The open cuts need time to close and the plant should be able to recover. After a week you can mulch them so that the water does not evaporate too quickly.
The ground cover roses are a beautiful addition to the home garden. They are fairly easy to care for, bloom magnificently throughout the gardening season and some varieties also give off a pleasant scent in the evening.The beautiful rosesare cut back and thinned out every three years. Once in the summer, shortly after the end of the first flowering, any dead flowers are removed to encourage renewed flowering.
