Prune bourbon, china and portland roses lightly while dormant

These group of roses are repeat flowering throughout the summer and autumn, so it is best to winter prune them.

In late winter or early spring (while the rose is dormant) prune 1/3 of all but the most vigorous young growth, and shorten the longest growth (and side shoots) by one third.

When pruning, make sure to prune to just above a healthy outward pointing bud.

Whenever you are pruning roses it is a good idea to wear protective gloves as the thorns can cut and scrape you easily.