Pruning Drift Roses

Pruning drift roses isn't required, but it helps guarantee the most blooms and is generally recommended for the health and appearance of the plant.
We go through when to prune, what parts to prune, how high to prune and how to do so. If you want the best looking drift roses, a simple pruning can make a huge difference!
0:00 Intro
0:15 Drift Rose description and types
1:20 Need to prune
1:55 When and what to prune
2:32 Tools
3:03 Dead branches
3:34 Stray branches
4:04 Crossing branches
5:14 Complete trim
6:02 Deadheading
6:53 Damaged/Diseased
7:45 Pruning timelapse
9:02 Thorns
9:50 Seasonal pruning
10:21 Outro
We've been converting our suburban back yard to a food forest. We do our best to share what we learn about growing in Florida's conditions… heat, humidity, thunderstorms, hurricanes, poor soil (ok… sand), bugs, etc.
We're located near the east coast in north Florida (zone 9), but we strive to make our videos helpful to anyone trying to beat the heat, build hurricane resistant gardens and fight off everything that flies, jumps or crawls that wants to eat our food!
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Equipment used in this video:
Felco F2 Pruners - amzn.to/2Yk8rus​​
Note: Some links may be affiliate links, which means we make a small commission if you choose to purchase something, but it doesn't cost you any extra. This helps us buy more plants to make videos about... Thanks!
Background music is Xerxes (Instrumental) by Seth Öphengon, via Audiio. - audiio.com/seth-ophengon

[@djquibblez12]

This was super helpful we just got drift roses planted in our front flower beds, so I’ll be doing this next Feb. Thanks for making the video.

[@prayertool]

One of the best videos on pruning drift roses. Great education. From time to time I “zoomed” in on some of your cuts and it was perfect. Thank you so much.

[@mamabirdie734]

I really like how you showed a close up picture of each rose so I can really tell the difference and make my decision. I couldn’t find any close up pics on other channels. I chose the coral for my front yard and sweet drift for my she shed.

[@AnoleGarden]

That is an excellent choice! The coral drift is so vibrant and cheerful. The sweet drift is just so full!😊

[@kohentrevor1045]

A trick : you can watch series at kaldrostream. Been using them for watching loads of movies lately.

[@allanfrancis9603]

@Kohen Trevor definitely, have been using kaldrostream for months myself :)

[@truthofthematter9409]

I'm usually a double flower lover but I fell in love with the pretty single petals of the Pink Drift. There's something so pretty and delicate about the pretty pink with the yellow eye/throat.

[@AnoleGarden]

Yes, it is delicate and pretty. I would even add the following adjectives: soft, laid back, easy. Thank you for checking us out. It's wonderful to know there are other fellow flower lovers out there! 🤗 - D

[@Danikeenr]

I love your videos! Very informative! Thank you

[@AnoleGarden]

Thank you so much for your kind words! That's was one of the objectives of our videos!☺️

[@trang8735]

Thank you for the video!!

[@AnoleGarden]

You are welcome! We are glad you liked the video😊.

[@w.loczykij5354]

Very helpful even though I'm not in Florida but in.. Switzerland :) Thank you

[@AnoleGarden]

Thank you ☺️😺

[@katieflynn8465]

I live in Missouri, we have had a warm February, my drift roses are getting green on the stems, Can I start to prune them or should I still wait?

[@hitfoods1726]

Would this pruning style be the same for Double Knockout Roses? I’m in Ponte Vedra area.

[@AnoleGarden]

With Knockout Roses, the recommendation is to prune 1/3. But if you want to go shorter, try 1/2.

[@natolaburnett6417]

Do they come back bigger and fuller when you prune that much?

[@AnoleGarden]

Yes, they do. We did a follow-up video on that. It's called: "Results of Pruning our Drift Roses - An Update After Spring Flush". Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmGsnXuNja-nf80 Hope that answers your question.

[@Marsh5392jan]

Do you ever root the healthy cuttings?

[@AnoleGarden]

I have thought about it several times but have not done it. Although some branches that touched the ground have rooted.

[@angelar209]

Is it too late to prune them now? Zone 6B

[@AnoleGarden]

It may be too late. If the buds have good formation on them, leave them alone. Wait until after the Spring flush, then prune off no more than 1/3.

[@agnescarrigy5255]

What kinda of fertilizer you use for drift roses

[@AnoleGarden]

I used Osmocote Smart Release Plant Food Plus Outdoor & Indoor. Some years I don't fertilize but I always keep the ground mulched.

[@agnescarrigy5255]

Thanks , love your video

[@sandramurkerson9041]

I'm Alabama zone 8 when do i prune?

[@AnoleGarden]

Best time to prune is late winter/early spring. This time varies from Zone to Zone and yard to yard . And even within a yard, you can have different microclimates. So, look for the start of new shoots/buds growing from the canes. When you see that, that's a good time to prune. Prune it 6"-8" high. Hope that helps.

[@rtshaw3621]

I don't "love" them they are beasts when it comes to thorns!

[@AnoleGarden]

I understand! I console myself with their beautiful blooms!😜