Question
Hey there, this is my first time to use this service. I recently bought a house in Conroe that is well landscaped but I don't have a green thumb at all. I know roses need to be cut back at Valentines but I don't know how far. With this warm weather this weekend, I have a small yellow bud that came out still. So should I wait til they finish blooming? Thanks

Answer
Dear Kim-

Well - it would help if I knew what type of rose it was.  I assume it is a modern rose, (not an old garden rose or spring blooming only rose).  Most likely it is a hybrid tea, floribunda or shrub rose - and you can safely prune 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the canes (but do not prune lower than 1 ft from the ground).  If there is a bud on a cane - I do not prune that cane.  I prune all the canes that do not have buds on them - but I leave the canes with buds alone.  Once those buds have finished blooming, then I cut the cane down to the same height as all the others.  The problem with waiting to prune until the rosebush stops blooming - most rosebushes are everblooming - so you may end up waiting a very long time!
I use the above method to prune my roses - and so far it has been very satisfactory.  Pruning helps to maintain the health and shape of the rosebush, and increases the blooms later in the season.

Keep smelling the roses!

Carlene
aka the Flowerlady