Server told me to prune my roses harder and I finally listened

For three years I was just snipping dead heads and crossing branches. A lady at the botany meetup last month straight up said 'you're being too gentle, take a third off the height'. I went home, cut my Knock Outs down to 18 inches, and now they're bushier with way more buds after just 4 weeks. Has anyone else held back on pruning because it felt like vandalism?

2 comments

2 Comments

harris.vera25d ago

The part about it feeling like vandalism really hit home. I was exactly the same with my hydrangeas, I'd just take off the dead bits and call it a day. My neighbor who gardens like a pro finally made me watch while she cut hers down to like 8 inches from the ground, I almost yelled at her. But then two months later hers were these huge, sturdy bushes full of blooms and mine were still all leggy and floppy. That was my wake-up call, now I just channel my inner Edward Scissorhands every spring and go to town (though I still wince a little when I make the first cut). Funny how we baby plants that are actually tougher than we give them credit for.

the_evan25d ago

Yeah but SEE, that's the thing - I STILL think people go way overboard with pruning. I've got a neighbor who chops EVERYTHING down to nubs like she's on a mission from god and half her stuff either dies or comes back looking all stressed out. Some plants need that light trim, not a buzz cut.