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Pruning guide · Shrub
Cinnamon rose: when and how to prune
Rosa majalis
Cinnamon rose is best pruned in June–July.
| Pruning months | June–July |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in June–July |
| Flowering | May–June |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Cinnamon rose: when to prune it?
Prune straight after flowering, in June–July.
Cinnamon rose: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, damaged and weak stems.
- Every three to four years take out about a third of the oldest stems at the base.
- Cut or sever suckers where you do not want them.
- To keep it low as a hedge, prune straight after flowering; later in the season you lose hips.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June–July.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in June–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.
- Cinnamon rose flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
- In September–November birds eat the fruit: leave some on the plant or on the ground.
- 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 prune in spring: it flowers on side shoots of last year’s wood, so you would cut the flowers off.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Cinnamon rose · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.