Prune in late winter or early spring after the last hard frost
Use sharp, clean pruning shears or loppers
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased canes first
Cut out crossing or rubbing stems
Remove weak, thin growth
Cut canes back to healthy green wood
Make cuts at a 45-degree angle about 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud
Remove spent flowers during the growing season
Thin the center of the bush to improve airflow
Cut back about one-third of the plant for general maintenance
Cut hybrid teas and floribundas more heavily than shrub roses
Leave climbing roses mostly intact and trim only dead or unproductive growth
Remove suckers growing from below the graft union
Clean up all trimmings from around the plant
Disinfect tools after pruning diseased plants