Climbing rose care guide: when & how to prune, fertilize and spray

When: 1–4 weeks before the last spring frost.

• zones 3–5: about Apr 12 – May 3
• zones 6–7: about Mar 18 – Apr 8
• zones 8–10: about Jan 28 – Feb 18

Training canes close to horizontal makes them flower along their whole length instead of only at the tips.

1. Remove dead, damaged and diseased wood.
2. Cut 1 or 2 of the oldest, least productive canes back to the base to make room for new ones. Old canes have gray, flaky bark.
3. Shorten last year's flowered side shoots to 2–3 buds (3–6 in / 8–15 cm).
4. Fan the main canes out and tie them as close to horizontal as possible, using soft ties in a loose figure-eight.
5. Don't cut the long main canes back. They're the framework.

Tools: Bypass pruners, Loppers, Soft plant ties, Gauntlet gloves

Caution: Once-blooming ramblers (e.g. 'New Dawn' ancestors, 'Albertine') should mostly be pruned right after flowering instead.

When: 9–12 weeks after the last spring frost.

• zones 3–5: about Jul 12 – Aug 2
• zones 6–7: about Jun 17 – Jul 8
• zones 8–10: about Apr 29 – May 20

For once-blooming climbers and ramblers this is the main prune. On repeat bloomers, deadheading now encourages the next flush.

1. Deadhead spent clusters back to the first full set of leaves.
2. On once-blooming varieties, also remove one or two of the oldest canes at the base and tie in the vigorous new canes that replace them.

Tools: Bypass pruners, Plant ties

When: from the last spring frost to 2 weeks after, then every 6 weeks (3 times a season).

• zones 3–5: about May 10–24
• zones 6–7: about Apr 15–29
• zones 8–10: about Feb 25 – Mar 11

Regular feeding through the growing season supports long canes and repeat bloom.

1. Spread rose food around the base out to 18 in (45 cm) and water it in well.

What to use: 🌿 Organic rose food (e.g. Espoma Rose-tone 4-3-2) · Granular rose fertilizer (e.g. Scotts/Miracle-Gro Shake 'n Feed Rose & Bloom)

When: 6–8 weeks before the first fall frost.

• zones 3–5: about Aug 6–20
• zones 6–7: about Aug 30 – Sep 13
• zones 8–10: about Oct 6–20

Late feeding pushes soft new growth that won't harden off before frost and gets killed back.

1. Don't apply any more fertilizer until spring. If you were planning one last feeding, do it now or skip it.
2. Keep watering as normal. Well-watered plants handle winter better.

When: 3–4 weeks after the last spring frost, then every 2 weeks (6 times a season).

• zones 3–5: about May 31 – Jun 7
• zones 6–7: about May 6–13
• zones 8–10: about Mar 18–25

black spot is far easier to prevent than cure. These sprays protect new leaves but won't fix leaves that are already spotted.

1. Spray early in the morning on a dry day with no rain forecast for 24 hours.
2. Cover the tops and undersides of the leaves.
3. Repeat every 10–14 days in wet weather. You can stretch the interval during dry spells.
4. Alternate products with different active ingredients so the disease doesn't build resistance.

What to use: 🌿 Potassium bicarbonate (e.g. GreenCure or MilStop) · 🌿 Neem oil (e.g. Garden Safe Neem Oil Extract) · 🌿 Bacillus-based biofungicide (e.g. Serenade or Cease) · Chlorothalonil (e.g. Daconil Fungicide) · Tebuconazole (e.g. BioAdvanced Disease Control for Roses, Flowers & Shrubs)

Caution: Don't spray when it's above 85°F/29°C, and never mix oils with sulfur.

When: 2–6 weeks after the last spring frost.

• zones 3–5: about May 24 – Jun 21
• zones 6–7: about Apr 29 – May 27
• zones 8–10: about Mar 11 – Apr 8

Mulch keeps roots cool and moist, suppresses weeds and slowly feeds the soil. Applying it after the soil warms lets roots wake up first.

1. Spread 2–3 in (5–7 cm) of mulch over the root zone.
2. Keep mulch 2–3 in (5–7 cm) away from stems and trunks. Mulch piled against bark invites rot and rodents.
3. Don't go deeper than 3 in (7 cm) in total. Too much mulch suffocates roots.

What to use: 🌿 Shredded hardwood or pine bark mulch

When: from the first fall frost to 4 weeks after.

• zones 3–5: about Oct 1–29
• zones 6–7: about Oct 25 – Nov 22
• zones 8–10: about Dec 1–29

Spores of black spot overwinter on fallen leaves and splash back up in spring. Removing them is the single best way to prevent next year's outbreak.

1. Rake up and remove fallen leaves and dropped fruit from under the plant.
2. Bag diseased material or put it in the trash. Don't compost it unless your pile gets hot (140°F/60°C+).
3. Cut out any dead or obviously diseased twigs you can see.

Tools: Rake, Bypass pruners