Local landscape expert reveals secret to maximizing roses in your own yard

HOUSTON, Texas – If the thrill is gone from those Knock Out roses you planted a few years back, you’re not alone, explained Mark Seavers, president of Seavers Landscape in Houston. “Many people wonder what happened to the showy blooms they used to enjoy. The truth is, roses need a little tough love in order to stay vibrant, and that means giving them a serious pruning each year.”

Seavers said that when rose bushes are left to their own devices, they can become unsightly all the way to the outer edges, with lots of thick stems and sparse blooms. “That’s because you have old growth that hogs all the nutrient power from the plant. Roses grow from the pruning point. So when you cut them back you’re helping the plant to concentrate as much energy as possible on growth and blooming.”

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Seavers said now is the perfect time for homeowners here in the Houston area to prune their roses. “During early to mid-February our roses are nearing the end of dormancy, so cutting back your roses now puts them in good shape for the start of the main blooming season.”

Most types of roses can benefit from a good whacking, said Seavers, including shrub roses like the Knock Out varieties, antique roses, hybrid teas and low-growing groundcover roses. Seavers said that gardeners shouldn’t be shy about bringing them down to size: “Don’t be afraid to cut. For most roses, take them down to about 10-12 inches above the main stem. You may be left with bare branches for a little while, but a hard pruning works wonders.”

For climbing roses, Seavers advised that a light trim is all that’s necessary. “Climbers are different—they bloom on the older canes—so trim for control only.”
Seavers said the payoff will come as springtime emerges over the coming months. “You’ll notice vigorous growth and more numerous and robust flowers than you’ve probably seen in years.”

Which means love will be blooming once again.

The experts at Seavers Landscape are available year-round for landscape design. For ideas and inspiration, visit www.seaverslandscape.com.