Learn how to prune and train climbing roses

Climbing roses rank among the most perplexing plants to prune. The cuts you make can determine how (and where) the bush blooms for seasons to come.

It’s not just the pruning, but what to do with those long canes – how do you get them to bloom where you want their flowers?

Learn how to prune and train climbing roses during a special hands-on workshop Saturday, Jan. 17. Offered by the Sierra Foothills Rose Society, this free workshop is open to the public and will be held in one of the most stunning private rose gardens in Roseville.

In her garden, award-winning master rosarian Linda Knowles grows hundreds of roses including dozens of climbers. Several of those climbers grace a French-inspired allee – a walkway shaded by arches covered with roses and clematis. Her garden has been featured in national publications such as Garden Gate magazine.

“Climbers are spectacular!” says the host. “They add a charming and dramatic element to your garden. Vigorous and relatively easy to grow, climbing roses sprawl on a fence, ascend a trellis, drape over an arbor, or scramble up a tree when trained. Flowers emerge on the end of the plant's long canes in single flowers or a cluster of blooms. However, with pruning you can get more flowers all along the cane.”

The workshop starts at 10 a.m. with some training, then tackles the bushes, wrapping up about 2 p.m. after a break for lunch. Dress appropriately for the weather; this event is all outdoors. Wear gloves and long sleeves. Bring pruners or lopers.

“We will have teaching demonstrations, then practice pruning climbing roses on fences, arbors and trellises,” says Paula Agostini, society president. “Water, hot coffee and homemade soup will be available.”