Pruning roses can be intimidating to gardeners since cutting back  beautiful growth seems counterintuitive and can be downright painful if  the plant is unruly. But, the practice actually creates a vital plant,  as pruning encourages new growth, removes old, dead wood, helps shape  the plant, and reduces the chances of fungal disease by opening the rose  plant up to airflow.

While becoming an accomplished rose pruner takes time and practice,  don't let that deter you; skilled gardeners agree that it's very hard to  kill a rose bush and most mistakes will grow out quickly. Plus, it is  better to make mistakes in the learning process than to let you roses  grow rampant, creating a big mess in your garden down the road.