The dog rose (Rosa corymbifera) is very robust and floriferous. It conjures up a touch of romance and offers birds protection. Even if it is easy to care for, it doesn’t work without it.
Annual clearing sufficient
The most diverse wild rose species are summarized under dog roses. They are very fast-growing and easy to care for and hardly need to be pruned. An annual thinning out is completely sufficient for a dog rose. It is not absolutely necessary to cut back on a regular basis. These roses always bloom on two-year-old wood, not on this year's shoots as is the case with other roses. A strong annual pruning would result in fewer flowers or, in the worst case, none at all. Therefore, a thinning out is completely sufficient here and creates enough space for a free development. But even here it is not easy to cut straight away. There are a few things to consider with an annual clearing cut:
- Removal of all inward growing shoots and branches
- Cut out all branches older than two years
- Completely remove sick, dry, lignified and bare branches
- Place the scissors directly on the base
- Do not intersect this year's new shoots
- there blossoms in the following year
- Cut the brown branches back to the green-white pulp
- Remove all other disruptive knots on the base
Tip: However, sick and dry branches should be removed regularly all year round. Blossoms no longer form on old wood, instead it is susceptible to pests and a source of infection for diseases and only costs the dog rose a lot of strength. In addition, healthy branches can be used to multiply the roses.
Cut every couple of years
However, more pruning every two to three years is also advisable for dog roses. This ensures that the roses will stay healthy for many years and will delight you with their lush blossoms. In addition, their sprawling growth can also be stopped, as they would otherwise quickly displace other plants. But here, too, caution is advised when blending. It is best to proceed as follows:
- Do not squeeze branches under any circumstances
- otherwise the penetration of pathogens is favored
- Avoid smooth cut surfaces
- Apply the cut at a slight angle
- Prevents rainwater from depositing in wounds and putrefaction, improves wound healing
- Cut 5 mm above the outwardly directed eye or new shoots
- Always cut away from the eye
- Cut older branches except for the third maximum fifth eye
- Only shorten shoots from the previous year by a third of their height
- Completely remove dead and diseased wood
Usually the wood can be disposed of on the compost. However, this does not apply to sick and dry wood. In order to avoid the spread of diseases and thus the infestation of healthy dog roses, it should either be disposed of in the residual waste or, if possible, simply burned.
Tip: As with the pruning of other rose varieties, the same applies to the dog rose, always cut weak shoots more strongly and always only shorten all strong shoots a little.
Spring best time
Although an annual clearing cut can be made all year round, it should be done in spring, as should the cut back every two to three years. This is the best time to do it, the wounds can close quickly. As with all rose varieties, the time during the forsythia bloom at the end of March, which of course always depends on the weather, is ideal for blending the roses. In any case, it must be ensured that no longer lasting frost is to be expected. The days should be dry, frost-free and warm, shortly before budding begins.
Note: Especially shoots with rose hips look very decorative in winter and by the way they are also an important source of food for native birds during the cold season.
Rejuvenation by radical cutting
Dog roses also need radical pruning roughly every four to five years. In this way, the rose bushes can be rejuvenated and ultimately prevent balding and a reduction in or even failure of flower formation. In addition, regular growth is stimulated. These wild roses are generally compatible with pruning, but there are still a few things that should be taken into account
- Complete pruning by a quarter to half of the stature height
- Cut on frost-free days in late autumn
- ideal October to early December
- Position the scissors at a slight angle
- cut over outward-pointing sleeping eye
- Distance to it 5 mm
Care after pruning
After the pruning has taken place, the care of the wounds should also be considered. This is the only way to prevent pathogens from entering the wound unhindered.
There are various options for treating larger wounds
- Apply wound closure agent to the wound with a brush or
- Cover the wound with dark foil
- Acceptance only after the wound has been closed
Use correct tools
Always use perfect tools for every cut of all kinds of roses, including dog roses. This can prevent the transmission of diseases and the penetration of pathogens into the wound. It should be noted that before and after each cut
- thorough cleaning takes place
- use warm water and washing-up liquid or soap
- then dry off well
- Disinfect with high percentage alcohol (from a pharmacy)
- only use of sharp tools
- sharpen properly if necessary
Tip: It is best to use special rose shears, sharp secateurs or hedge shears to cut a dog rose. Sharp secateurs are all you need to thin out bushes that are more than two years old.
In addition, you should also think about your own protection, because the thorns of the dog roses are very hooked and strong. The branches are thus occupied all around. Unprotected, they can lead to injuries. In any case, long-sleeved and thick outerwear and pants should be worn, as well as sturdy shoes. Of course, gloves are always an advantage when cutting back and doing other work.
