Photo: AnRo0002, CC0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Multiflora rose: when and how to prune
Rosa multiflora
Multiflora 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–July |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Multiflora rose: when to prune it?
Prune after flowering, in July. A thorough renewal is done in February–March.
Multiflora 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.
- Clip a hedge to shape straight after flowering.
- Wear sturdy gloves and long sleeves: the stems are very prickly.
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.
- Multiflora rose flowers in June–July, 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.
- 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: Hard pruning in February–March costs you part of that year’s flowers, because it flowers on side shoots of last year’s wood.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Multiflora rose · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.