I never trim mine until just before or right after new growth starts in spring. That way I can get all the winter kill at one time.

gld

For those of us in Zone 7, the traditional date after which it's supposedly "safe" to prune roses is February 22 (Washington's "real" birthday). I would think that in Zone 6, you'd probably want to wait until March.

I'm on the border of 6 and 7. I don't prune earlier than mid-March and have waited as long as mid-April. And I already have roses leafing out, but they will still wait until next month. Most of the OGRs don't get antyhing except cleaning out of the dead canes, and the once-bloomers I leave alone (except for the dead stuff) until late June after they have finished blooming.

Thanks so much! I was just getting a little worried that I'd wait too long. There is already so much new growth on some bushes, and hardly none on others. We've had such a mild winter, that I think everything's going to be outtta wack. And, we finally got our first dicent snow last night. And more on saturday. I'm so confused!!! But, thank yall.

When I first started Roses I was told to prune when the forsythia blooms.I live by this and have never pruned too early or too late.Hope this helps.
moonphase

I'd only prune what you know is dead right now,what kinds of roses do you have? i.e. teas,gallicas,bourbons,?this would make a difference,most don't prune once bloomers until they after they flower in late spring,early summer.