When should I prune shrub roses?

Question:

When should I prune shrub roses?

Answer:

Old garden roses, hybrid rugosas, and other hardy shrub or landscape roses often survive Iowa's winters with little or no winter injury.  If there is any winter injury, it can be pruned back to live wood just as the new buds are turning green and breaking in spring - typically early to mid-April. 

Roses that bloom only once a year should be pruned immediately after flowering. Those that bloom throughout the summer should be pruned in March or early April.

Learn more about growing roses in this article: Growing Roses in Iowa.