The key is to go easy. Cutting off wood cuts off stored nutrients and the photosynthesizing
potential leaves and stems. Wait until winter-killed wood is clearly distinguishable
(brown and shriveling) and leaf bud growth is visible. Prune broken and clearly dead wood,
do any trimming needed for shaping the plant, and clear out little, thin, twiggy growth so stored nutrient is directed to stocky and vigorous stems.

Climbing roses should have only the most necessary pruning, and training some stems horizontally will result in a greater flush of bloom along those stems.

We’ll talk about summer maintenance pruning in a later issue.