Roses:
Planting and Pruning Instructions
The roses we grow are grown from cuttings and are on their own roots. You do not have to concern yourself about the placement of the bud union as you do in budded roses. Plant them in the same manner as any other shrub. Any suckers which appear from the base of your rose in the future will be the same variety you purchased.
We recommend pruning your new rose back approximately one-third to encourage vigorous shoots. It is not necessary to prune them drastically as you do many packaged roses. In fact many prefer not to prune our roses at all when planting. Roses are briar-like plants and will sucker and spread if given cultivated ground. We recommend pruning out the oldest canes and allowing new suckers to take their place as your rose ages. New roses should require only the removal of winter-damaged canes in spring. Generally shrub roses are pruned more sparingly than hybrid teas or floribundas.
If you want to cut back an older shrub rose do it in early spring before the buds expand. Rose hedges should also be pruned at this time. Be sure to keep the base of your hedge wider than the top to allow light to reach the bottom stems.
Although winter protection is generally not necessary with these hardy roses, if you are trying to grow a variety that is tender in your area you can protect it in winter with either an overwintering blanket or by mounding the base with a mulch such as bark chips.
Remember that good flower production demands adequate moisture at all times, good drainage, good fertility and high light levels. If these conditions are met, and weeds kept under control, you should enjoy many beautiful blooms.