Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Prune Woods' Rose

Tip

Do not deadhead woods' rose unless you do not want it to go to fruit. The fruit attracts wildlife.

Warning

Always wear gloves when pruning woods' rose.

Woods’ rose is a wild shrub rose native to North America. They grow naturally all over the western U.S. and up into Canada. While their blooms are not as complex as modern roses, with only five petals per flower, they are still a lovely plant. They also produce rose hips that stay on the bush during the winter and provide wildlife with much needed food. It is hardy through zones 4 to 8. Prune woods’ rose lightly in order to get the best out of it.

Prune woods' rose in the spring while the plant is dormant. Pruning may also be done in the summer, after woods' rose has finished blooming, if you cannot remember which canes are old growth and which are new growth. Prune woods' rose annually.

  • Woods’ rose is a wild shrub rose native to North America.
  • Prune woods' rose in the spring while the plant is dormant.

Remove any dead or damaged branches. Remove them as close to the base of the woods' rose as you can get.

Remove any suckers. Woods' rose will send off a plethora of them, and unless you want the shrub to grow out of control, prune them back to the base of the plant.

Trim back old growth carefully. Trim back the old growth to the shape you desire to keep your woods' rose. Do not remove the old growth. Woods' rose flowers on old growth. It needs the old canes in which to thrive and attract wildlife. Woods' rose will flower several times during the spring and summer.

  • Remove any dead or damaged branches.
  • Trim back the old growth to the shape you desire to keep your woods' rose.

Remove about 20 to 25 percent of growth from your woods' rose each time you prune it. Leave about 3 to 4 inches between each cane so the sunlight may get into the bush.

Cover each pruning cut with pruning seal in order to prevent cane bores.

Related Articles

How to Deadhead Floribunda Roses
How to Deadhead Floribunda Roses
How to Prune a Mini Rose Bush
How to Prune a Mini Rose Bush
When to Trim Back Roses in Oregon?
When to Trim Back Roses in Oregon?
How to Trim Rose Bushes Before Winter
How to Trim Rose Bushes Before Winter
How to Identify Rose Bushes
How to Identify Rose Bushes
Scientific Names for Rose Flowers
Scientific Names for Rose Flowers
How to Care for Wild Rose Bushes
How to Care for Wild Rose Bushes
How to Prune Rose Bushes in the Fall
How to Prune Rose Bushes in the Fall
How to Make a Rose Tree
How to Make a Rose Tree
When & How Much Should You Prune Knock Out Roses in Georgia?
When & How Much Should You Prune Knock Out Roses in...
How to Clean Roses for Flower Arrangements
How to Clean Roses for Flower Arrangements
What Is the Meaning of Rose of Sharon?
What Is the Meaning of Rose of Sharon?
How to Plant Rose Bushes From Your Dead Roses
How to Plant Rose Bushes From Your Dead Roses
Garden Guides
×