I've just started pruning the roses, but I'm not too sure about a couple of
them. One type, I think might be a Carpet Rose - how do I go about pruning
that, do I need to thin it out, as well as shorten it?

Another grows far taller than the other ones, I assume it's a taller
variety, do I need to leave it much taller after pruning?

Also I have some miniature roses, I'm fairly sure you just chop the bush
right back, am I right?

The normal type of roses I'm fine with.

Any help appreciated. TIA

Jen

Jen wrote:
I've just started pruning the roses, but I'm not too sure about a couple of
them. One type, I think might be a Carpet Rose - how do I go about pruning
that, do I need to thin it out, as well as shorten it?

Another grows far taller than the other ones, I assume it's a taller
variety, do I need to leave it much taller after pruning?

Also I have some miniature roses, I'm fairly sure you just chop the bush
right back, am I right?

The normal type of roses I'm fine with.

Any help appreciated. TIA

Are you in the southern hemisphere, where winter just began? If not,
this is really the wrong time of the year for full pruning of roses. In
my climate, roses do not go dormant; I prune them early in January. In
colder climates, you should prune just as the leaf buds start to swell.
At this time of the year, my pruning activity is related to grooming
the plants: removing dead flowers, eliminating inward-growing branches,
and ensuring good air circulation.

Regarding the carpet rose, most roses grow more vigorously if they are
thinned. Remove some of the oldest growth to encourage new growth.

Tall rose bushes can be cut short, but that's not necessary. My 'Mr.
Lincoln' and 'Honor' grow taller than I am. I cut them to about 2-2.5
feet. My 'Oregold' stays quite short. I leave it at about 1-1.5 feet.
However, this does not apply to climbers, which should be left with
very long canes trained horizontally; when pruned, my climbing 'Peace'
stretches some 20 feet or more.

See my http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_rosepruning.html.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

"David E. Ross" wrote in message
.. .

Are you in the southern hemisphere, where winter just began?

Yes, I'm in Australia. Thanks for your help.

Jen