Rose hips are the swollen and often colorful fruits that appear after roses have finished blooming. While they can provide an attractive decorative touch, they can also cause damage to the plant if left too long.
Most rose growers choose to remove the rose hips soon after blooming, an exercise that requires care and precision. Pruning should be done with sharp shears or tools specifically designed for pruning roses.
The aim of pruning is twofold – to tidy up the appearance of the bush and reduce pests and disease. Removal of dead heads will keep your Rose healthy: by removing diseased, damaged, or deadwood, you are encouraging new growth from healthy buds.
Too much pruning, however, can compromise Rose’s health by removing more foliage than necessary. Over-pruned Roses may require more frequent watering as roots will be exposed more frequently, reducing the soil’s ability to hold moisture needed for its nourishment.
Often extra feeding is necessary when pruning older roses as this helps maintain their vigor and encourages flowers to come springtime. Aim to only remove healthy wood in early spring before growth begins, never any that has already flowered or produced fruit.
Removing rose hips after flowering may help promote larger and better flowers in future seasons, yet it isn’t essential if you regularly deadhead during the season instead!