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How to Prune Rosebushes. Pruning a rosebush removes old and dead growth, improving the
health of the plant and making room for new buds. You will need Long-sleeve work shirt
Long pants Safety glasses Garden or work gloves Bypass pruning shears Pruning saw and hair
elastic or clip (optional) (optional) (optional). Step 1. To keep your arms, legs, and eyes
safe from scratches, put on a long-sleeved shirt, pants, gloves, and safety glasses.
If you have long hair, pull it back with an elastic or hair clip. Step 2. When your rosebush
is starting to bud, look carefully at each stem, also called a "rose cane." A dead cane
looks dry, brittle, and possibly broken, while healthy canes show signs of bud growth. Using
the bypass shears, cut all the dead canes away from the base of the plant. For hard-to-cut
canes, use a pruning saw. If the exposed stem is brown, keep cutting until you reach healthy,
greenish-white plant material. Step 3. Cut off any canes that rub against each other
and older stems that are slow to bud. Ideally, you want to leave approximately four that
are strong and healthy on the bush and remove the rest. Step 4. On the remaining canes,
do some additional moderate pruning. Cut each healthy cane about a quarter-inch above a
"bud eye" or new growth. This allows more air and light to reach the plant, producing
a beautiful rosebush later in the season. Did you know During the 15th Century, two
warring factions in England used red and white roses as their symbols.