[harrylee]

It's barely spring here and I have these 3 scraggly looking roses. They are starting to get tiny buds on the bottom, so I know they are still alive. Should I trim the tops off or wait until I see if more buds come further up?
I know little about roses.

 

[Logan]

Hi Harrylee
Can you do a close up pic, can't see it very well?

 

[harrylee]

I will try, likely won't see much...just a cell phone. I am sure it will be fine, it's been there about 3 years now. I just want to make it a bit bushier.

 

[Logan]

You could wait until it's growing a bit and then you'll know what to prune off.

 

[plantscraze]

Roses should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Depending on your environment, this could be as early as January or as late as May.
You mentioned that the plant has started to grow tiny buds on the bottom. So, maybe it is late for pruning. Just wait until they grow a bit. If there is no progress, then I suggest to prune them.

 

[harrylee]

Thanks...and welcome. It turns out 2 of the 3 roses died. A bad winter for roses in this area, so I have read. I trimmed the remaining one back to just above the new growth and it seems to be doing fine so far.