Back to the Garden: Pruning Roses—The Thorns of a Dilemma

By James Daw

I apologize for the pun, but the question of when to prune roses in the spring remains a common dilemma with no one-size-fits-all answer. Traditionally, pruning was recommended before the last expected frost—typically between mid-March and mid-April. However, with recent temperature fluctuations, it’s no longer clear if that advice still applies.

Many gardeners now suggest using nature as your guide: prune when the forsythia begins to bloom. That timing has shifted slightly later in recent years, but it’s still a reliable signal.

Prune too early, and you risk cutting away branches that might have produced beautiful blooms. Prune too late, and you may snip off developing buds—meaning those potential roses land in the compost instead of your garden.

That said, any springtime pruning is still a good idea. It’s the best opportunity to remove dead or dying branches before new growth takes over. With less foliage to navigate, it’s easier to access the base of branches that need attention. And if you need to prune climbing roses to repair or paint a trellis, early spring is the time—while the canes are still pliable and manageable.

Just remember: avoid heavy pruning in the fall, as it may trigger new growth that won’t survive the winter frost.

Daffodils: Spring’s Effortless Joy

If you planted daffodils last fall, get ready to enjoy a cheerful reward. Whether arranged in beds or sprinkled in bunches across the lawn, their bright blooms are a joyful sign of spring. Best of all, daffodils require very little effort and reliably return year after year—so long as the soil is reasonably fertile and the foliage is allowed to die back naturally.

If you didn’t plant your own, it’s not too late to be inspired for next fall. You’ll find daffodils blooming all over the community right now—but for a truly breathtaking display, take a trip to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. There, you’ll find Daffodil Hill, a sloped meadow blanketed in golden blooms. The Garden’s staff has planted millions (yes, millions!) of bulbs throughout the grounds, but this hill is the crown jewel of their spring display.