It is really very simple

Here in the Cape, the time for pruning our roses is drawing near.
I usually prune mine towards the end of July - even later is o.k.

Pruning of roses is not complicated at all - and yet so many people are afraid of doing it and so ask experts in to do it for them.

Here are a few tips should you wish to prune your own roses:

Firstly, the taller the variety, the less you cut them back.

The varieties that are not tall growers can be prunes back quite hard.

The first step is to cut out all dead growth.
Then cut off stems that are growing inwards - this will improve air circulation.
Look for any suckers that have developed and remove these - you can identify the suckers by the leaves - there will be seven leaves and not the normal five.
Now you can prune back the rose bush according to the variety - cut just above a bud that is facing outwards and do this until all the rose stems have been pruned.
Once this has been done, spray the bush with some lime sulpher available at garden centers.
Job done.

Most garden centers give workshops on pruning which you can attend.
Don't be afraid of pruning your roses as they are very forgiving and won't die if you follow the basic tips above.