As a wild plant, the Dog Rose doesn’t strictly *need* a regular haircut to survive. However, if you take a little time to prune it, you can really shape the bush and encourage a massive explosion of blooms. Here’s the lowdown on how to get it right.
Why Pruning is Worth the Effort
Giving your Dog Rose a strategic trim helps boost flower production for the following year. In my opinion, it’s totally worth the effort! These plants produce gorgeous, delicate blossoms that can brighten up your garden for a long stretch of time. That said, if life gets busy and you skip a year, don’t sweat it—the plant will be just fine.
One quick tip: I wouldn’t bother cutting the Dog Rose flowers for indoor bouquets. They’re a bit too small and tend to wilt pretty quickly once they’re in a vase. Instead, wait until fall to harvest branches loaded with those bright red rose hips. They look stunning in a vase on their own or as a rustic addition to a seasonal arrangement.
How to Prune Your Dog Rose
Before you start, make sure you have a pair of sharp pruning shears. I always recommend cleaning your blades with a bit of disinfectant first. Starting with a sterile tool prevents you from spreading germs or fungi to the fresh cuts, which keeps your rose healthy and disease-free.
Here is your quick checklist for trimming:
- Cut out dry or dead canes completely.
- Shorten three-year-old canes by at least a third.
- Don’t be afraid of a “hard prune” if the plant is overgrown.
Start by clearing out any dead wood or brittle branches—cut these right down to the ground. Next, head to the older, three-year-old canes and take them back by about a third to encourage new growth. If your bush has gotten totally out of control, you can actually do a radical cutback without hurting it. The best time to do this is in the fall before the first hard frost hits. This sets the stage for the plant to come back stronger than ever when spring rolls around!
