• A Rose is a Rose"White Dew" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Koshyk (Koshy Koshy) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  

Don't Worry

• Rosy Face"S P R I N G" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: ? Kris ? (Kristin Bradley) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  Rosarian Nanette Londeree has some words of encouragement: "If I have learned anything over the last decade of pruning hundreds of roses, it is that roses are very forgiving."
  
  

Generally Speaking

• "Happy Valentine's Day | Roses in Brandywine Park" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: *Arielle* (Arielle Kristina) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  According to the AARS (the non-profit All American Rose Selections), late winter is ideal for pruning rose bushes: January or February, for most of the country; April, in the mountains.
  
  

Location

• Rural Rose"Thorney church" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: The 5th Ape (Jamie Campbell) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  In places with severe winters, early spring is best. In windy areas, trim about one-third of the plant in late fall (to prevent wind damage) and do the major pruning in early spring.
  
  

Variety Factor

• Antique Rose"Golden Touch" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: -Delphine - D-Day -23 :-) (Delphine Devos) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  Repeat-bloomers, hybrid tea roses, and other hardy varieties require heavy pruning in early spring. Old-fashioned roses and climbers that bloom only once should be pruned sparingly, immediately after blooming.
  
  

Consider Condition

• New Rose"Bless Me Father For I Have Sinned" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: prudencebrown121 (Holly Brown) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  Lightly trim roses that are either weak or young (in their first season) in early spring to stimulate growth.
  
  

The Last Word

• Rose Talk"Rosegirl" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Matter = Energy (Fabian Winiger) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  The best indicator is simply looking at the rose: when the buds of new growth start to swell, it's time to prune the rose bush.