Wait until after the first hard frost or when the plant is fully dormant
Use clean, sharp pruning shears
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased canes
Cut out crossing or rubbing branches
Shorten long canes to reduce wind damage
Trim back tall growth to prevent winter breakage
Cut just above an outward-facing bud
Remove leaves and fallen debris around the base
Disinfect tools between cuts if disease is present
Stop pruning heavily if your rose type should be left mostly intact for winter
Mound soil, compost, or mulch around the base after pruning
Protect graft unions with extra mulch in cold climates