Gardening expert Michael Griffiths has urged gardeners to prune their climbing roses before winter ends to encourage bigger, healthier blooms later this year. In a recent TikTok video, he explained that cutting back dead, diseased, or dying branches is essential for boosting growth.
Start by removing any black or brown branches at the base, as these indicate dead or diseased wood. Weak climbing branches should also be cut away, as they cannot support summer blooms. Griffiths suggests tying stems to the plant's framework for extra support to prevent snapping.
Next, trim side shoots by two-thirds of their length at a 45-degree angle just above a bud. This encourages new shoots for the season. For congested plants, remove older branches at the base to redirect energy to fresh buds and thriving branches.
Once pruning is complete, apply fertiliser or mulch in spring, as climbing roses are heavy feeders. Gardeners' World notes that late winter is the best time for pruning most roses, except ramblers, which should be pruned in summer. Avoid pruning in freezing conditions.
