It is generally best to prune roses in late winter to early spring, when the rose bush is still in its dormant stage before new growth begins. Depending on your location, this is usually around June or July (for Southern Hemisphere) or February to early April (for Northern Hemisphere). Pruning at this time helps maintain a tidy, well-balanced plant, encourages strong growth, and helps prevent disease. If you miss this ideal window, it is still possible to prune roses later, even in early spring (like April) when new shoots are just starting to appear. Pruning late might delay flowering slightly but it’s better than not pruning at all. For climbing and rambling roses, pruning varies: climbers are pruned in winter, but ramblers are best pruned in summer after flowering. In summary:
- Optimal pruning time is late winter/early spring before new growth starts.
- For most roses, pruning in June or July (Southern Hemisphere) or February to April (Northern Hemisphere) is ideal.
- Pruning later in early spring is still beneficial though may delay flowering.
- Rambling roses should be pruned after flowering in summer.
So, it can be "too late" if you prune well into the growing season or after flowering when you risk removing flower-producing wood, but early spring or even early summer pruning is generally still effective to keep roses healthy and blooming.
