Help with Pruning/Training Austin Roses

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I need help with pruning and/or training my David Austin Roses. This my first year growing them, they have grown large and gangly , and bloomed very sparse. My zone will get frost middle of November, so there's still roughly 3 months of growth left to go. I'd like to know how to prune/train them for the rest of the year and beyond.

Here's Golden Celebration, the longer canes are about 7ft.

I have a Benjamin Britten which has grown very similarity to Golden Celebration, also with 7 ft canes.

Here's Gertrude Jekyll, longest canes are maybe 6 ft:

I've tried to pin down GC and BB on trellis to encourage laterals. I've tried to twirl GJ around a tomato cage (obviously, a larger structure will soon be needed). How would you handle these plants? Would it be valid to prune hard (say to 18-24 inches) now and let them grow as bushes? They are all very leafy/healthy, plenty of basals, not much in the way of bloom.

I have fed them the same as my HTs and floribundas (Rose Glo, Osmocote, Seaweed, Fish Emulsion), the others have been blooming very well, while the Austins only throw canes. Any cultural practices I might change?

I do have a Jude the Obscure in a large pot, it is 4x4 its 1st year, and bloomed well all season (it too, has been fed the same, but sits in potting soil). GC and GJ sit in amended clay soil. BB and Evelyn are in a raised bed filled with purchased 'rose soil' , which seems like a heavy loam + organic matter. (Evelyn does bloom OK, not floriferious, but at least a few nice clusters here and there).

Thanks!

Featured Answer

rosecanadian

9 years ago

I've grown tired of the look of most Austins with their long sprawly canes, and I won't buy anymore. I have found some that have the upward look I want.

Carol

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Comments (9)

Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
9 years ago
I'd probably leave the long canes and let the plant grow more and have a large bush eventually.
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14) thanked Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
HalloBlondie (zone5a) Ontario, Canada
9 years ago
Completely different climate than you. But some of my first year austins were very leggy. But after one winter and needing to be pruned right down in spring they have become bushier in their second year. Benjamin britten is more of a shrub shape than a climber here. Whereas, teasing georgia is a sprawling thing. She needs to be wrapped, pegged or contained. I've read that she can become more free standing with time. I guess it would depend on how much cane survives each season. If you have the space to let them grow, than just see how they do. I've had to chop teasing georgia back because it was an octopus. I also lost some canes to wind storms. All of my austin roses have grown differently. It just depends on the variety.
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14) thanked HalloBlondie (zone5a) Ontario, Canada
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User
9 years ago
I cut them back mid-summer, and they look better. Some nice ones for me that grow upright and don't get as gangly are The Alnwick Rose, Boscobel, and Queen of Sweden. I am in Alabama so they can get big and bigger here, but cutting back seems to help keep them contained a bit.
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14) thanked User
rosecanadian
9 years ago
dizzylizzy - yes, I cut them back too...but it's so much easier with nonAustins. Ones that I have and won't get rid of are: The Alnwick Rose, Bishop's Castle (love this rose), Falstaff and Olivia Rose Austin.

Carol
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses.

Sheila, since they're 1st year I'm letting them be for now, but it's hard not to cut them back, they're so gangly

Halloblondie, our climates are indeed very different, I can't imagine having to prune down to the ground...but good to know they spring back and look OK.

Carol, I'm with you, not very fond of sprawling roses. If they continue being so gangly, several of them will get the shovel. Ben Britten and Gertie are very likely to go . Jude has been excellent in habit and bloom. Evelyn is somewhat promising, looks better with maturity. I understand Golden Celebration gets really big,so mine probably needs more time.

Dizzylizzy, good to know a few varieties are well behaved, your climate is probably most similar to mine. I've had my eye on Falstaff, I've read its very good in heat. I'll probably start shaping more severly next sping.
rosecanadian
9 years ago
I would love to grow Jude. It didn't do very well in my yard (potted)...but it's one I wouldn't mind giving another chance to.

Carol
User
9 years ago
I'm not a big fan of Austins for several reasons,however one thing I must say in favour of G. Jeckyll : in a warm climate it really can be grown as a climber. I'm in Tuscany, Italy, which is supposed to be around a zone 8 (like BenT). I'm training my GJs as pillar roses, which is highly do-able because the canes are thinnish and flexible. I think you could easily train your Gertrude on a tripod, Ben!
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)
Original Author
9 years ago
Carol,

I think Jude is worth another try. Mine is in a pot, relatively well behaved, very free blooming, the fragrance is totally amazing and lives up to the hype (I call it wonderfruit).

Bart,

How hot does it get where you are? I have seen very nice pics of Gertrude as a pillar, and mine does throw out long flexible canes. I will say though, it has the sharpest thorns of any rose I've ever grown, and will punch right through goatskin gloves.