Photo: Pierre-Joseph Redouté, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Cabbage rose: when and how to prune
Rosa × centifolia
Cabbage rose is best pruned in March and July.
| Pruning months | March and July |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March and July |
| Flowering | June |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Cabbage rose: when to prune it?
Prune lightly straight after flowering, in July, and finish off in March.
Cabbage rose: how to prune it?
- After flowering: cut the faded shoots back by about a third and remove dead or weak stems.
- Every few years thin out a few of the oldest, thickest stems at the base.
- In March: shorten last year’s side shoots to 2–3 buds (about 10–15 cm). The flowers are borne on these side shoots.
- Cut away crossing stems to keep air moving through the shrub.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March and July can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Cabbage rose flowers in June, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Do not shorten the long main stems in spring: the flowers are borne on side shoots of old wood and you would lose blooms.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Cabbage rose · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.