3 Best Pruning Shears for Roses and Flowering Plants

When your roses are starting to overgrow, you need a good pair of shears of pruning. This will help manage the growth of the plant while allowing you to harvest some fresh flowers. Every gardening enthusiast should have the best pruning shears for roses. This way, you no longer have to use your scissors at home or risk damage your plants.

You should always use the right equipment when tending to your roses. If you want to make your gardening much easier, you can choose from these three pairs of shears made to last long:

SHEARSBRANDEXPERT
RATING
CHECK PRICE
FELCO Swiss-Made
Garden Pruning Shears
Check Price
gonicc 8” Titanium
Pruning Shears
Check Price
Fiskars Steel Pruning
Shears for Garden
Check Price

Importance of pruning roses

Pruning isn’t just about keeping your roses at a specific height. This process also plays a big role in the health of its blooms. Pruning is very easy to do and can be done quickly using the right tools. If you’re a newbie gardener, the following are some of the benefits of pruning your roses:

*Prevent the spread of plant diseases

The major advantage of pruning plants is it allows you to remove portions with diseases or pests. This way, it will not spread all over the rose plant.

*Encourage larger blooms

Shortly pruned roses will have larger blooms. This is an excellent method if you want fewer but larger roses to adorn your garden.

*Keep your roses looking good

Who wants an unkempt bush in the garden? Aside from plant health, it will also keep your rose in a manageable length.

*Remove dead parts

Lastly, pruning lets you remove dead parts of the rose plant. This is very important for climbing roses since the dead leaves and stalks will make your garden look cleaner.


How to choose the best pruning shears for roses

If you’re looking for the best pruning shears for roses, you should know the following points first.

-Choose the right type

There are three types of pruning shears: bypass, anvil, and ratchet. The following are the differences between the three:

**Bypass

Bypass pruners have dual blades that bypass each one. This gives the cleanest cut and easier to use too. One of these blades of this pruning shear has a sharpened outside edge while the bottom is unsharpened yet very durable.

Bypass pruners can be used on tight spaces, which make it a great choice for kitchen herbs as well as vines, roses, and other ornamentals.

**Anvil

Next, the anvil pruning shears have a straight cutting blade like a knife. This is clamped into a flat edge. It cuts like a knife with its slicing action. Anvil pruners are ideal for dry wood and thick branches.

The only downside with this pruner is it can be a little cumbersome and difficult to maneuver on tight spaces. Also, angling this pair of shears can be challenging.

**Ratchet

Lastly, there’s the ratchet or gear-type pruner. It’s quite similar to anvil pruners since it has a knife-like construction. The biggest difference is that it comes with a holed handle. It’s much easier to use for those with weak hands. It offers more leverage and allows you to prune a lot.

-Check the material

Once you have decided on the type of pruner you need, the next step is to check the material. Always invest in a durable material like high-carbon steel. There are also stainless steel options that aren’t prone to rusting.

-Opt for an ergonomic handle

Aside from the blade, you should also check the ergonomics of the handle. Pruning can be a tiring task, even for the strongest hands. The last thing you want is developing carpal tunnel syndrome due to a hard-to-use pruner. Also, gardeners with arthritis need a pair of pruners that they can grip easily.

We recommend cushioned and molded handles. Rotating handles are also ideal as it prevents excessive force on the wrist area. If possible, look for a pruner with a mild inclination so your hands can prune your roses at a neutral angle.

What if you’re a leftie? There are specially-made pruning shears that you can use. However, it can be a bit rare in most garden centers.

-Get the right price point and size

Pruning shears are available for a wide range of prices. Cheap ones are ideal for hobbyists, though the quality may not be as good as more expensive ones. Of course, you should buy a pair you can afford, but you should also consider the quality of the item.

Aside from the cost, you should also check the size of the shears you’re getting. Sizes range from 5 to 9 inches in width in varying lengths.

Bypass pruners are between 4 and 5 inches long while anvil pruners can be as long as 15 inches. On the other hand, ratchet pruners are usually 8 inches long.

-Consider the maintenance needs

Lastly, you should consider how much maintenance is required for the pruning shears you’re going to buy. Usually, cleaning and oiling are the needed maintenance to keep a pruner sharp and smooth-cutting.

Also, you’d need to re-sharpen the shears once in a while. The frequency depends on the frequency of use. A sharp pair of pruners is easy to use, not to mention that it will keep your plants healthy.


Tips in pruning your roses

If you’re new to pruning your roses, the following are some of the tips you can use:

*Prune dead wood. Remove dead wood until you see a white pith core as well as a green bark.

*Remove suckers. If there are suckers (growths from the roots), remove it right away as close to the main root as you can get.

*Use a pruning sealer. After pruning the branches of your roses, apply a pruning sealer on the wound. This will prevent the entry of pathogens, pests, and other particles. Some use white glue for this purpose.

*Prune at a dormant season. It’s best to prune the roses during a dormant season. Expert gardeners recommend the period before springtime when the mild cold of winter still lingers.

*Remove rubbing branches. You should trim rubbing branches, which can cause the transfer of disease. Always aim for upward branches that form a vase-like figure.

*Wear protective gear. Pruning roses isn’t an easy task. Always wear a thick pair of garden gloves since rose thorns can cause deep cuts.

3 Best Pruning Shears for Roses

OUR #1 CHOICE

OUR TOP PICK: FELCO Swiss-Made Garden Pruning Shears
best pruning shears for roses

Product Name: FELCO Swiss-Made Garden Pruning Shears

Product Description: If you’re looking for an anvil pruner, you’ll never go wrong with the FELCO Swiss-Made Pruning Shears. This is made of forged aluminum handles with hardened steel blades. It’s durable and has a very ergonomic handle. The handles of this pruner are revolving for added comfort. Also, it’s cushioned for added shock-absorbing benefits. It’s available in four blade sizes to suit your pruning preferences. If your roses have thick stems, you should consider the F10 size. Those with medium-sized to small hands will do well with the F6.

Offer price: $$$

Availability: InStock

  • Sharpness
  • Ergonomics
  • Value for Money
Overall
4.8

Summary

Due to its anvil blade design, you can easily use this on twiggy branches. With this pruner, you can cut close to the trunk.

What we like the most about this FELCO pruner is its limited lifetime warranty. As long as you have the shears, you are entitled to their warranty terms.

Make sure that you clean and polish this pair of shears to prevent rusting. Also, you should measure your hand before getting this pruner.

Overall, this pruner works wonders for roses and other ornamental plants. It’s also a great choice for your grapes.

Pros

✔️Available in different sizes

✔️Revolving handle for comfort

✔️Perfect for twiggy branches

Cons

❌The sizing can be tricky

RUNNERS-UP

gonicc 8” Titanium Pruning Shears

best pruning shears for roses

For those who need bypass shears, the one from gonicc is a good choice. It has a drop forged body with well-padded handles. This is made of titanium steel that beats an ultra-fine polishing technology.

We like the non-slip handles of this pruner, which makes it very comfortable and convenient to use. It also has a sap groove design that channels off the sap so that the blades won’t stick on the plant you’re pruning.

The gonicc pruner can cut up to ¾-inch in diameter branches. Still, it will vary per tree species, but it will work on most roses.

Since this pair of shears is coated, it will not rot easily. Proper maintenance will also make the blades last longer. To lubricate the blades, you can use general-purpose oil.

This has a scissor-like motion that makes it easy to use. You can also use this dry wood and in pruning bonsai trees.

Overall, this is a reasonably-priced pruner, even for gardeners in a budget. It’s also incredibly sharp and will not turn sideways even if you’re cutting thick branches.

PROS
✔️Very sharp
✔️Coated material to prevent rusting
✔️Very ergonomic handle
CONS
❌Maintenance involves fixing the spring tension
.

Fiskars Steel Pruning Shears for Garden

If you’re short in cash and looking for a decent pruner, we recommend the Fiskars Steel Pruning Shears. This is useful in cutting thin branches and stems of roses and other ornamental plants.

This is made of a fully hardened steel blade with precision-ground technology. It will also stay sharp even after several uses. Aside from that, it also has a low-friction coating that will prevent the sap from gumming up on the blades.

Moreover, this pruner has a self-cleaning sap groove so you can prune continuously without the need to wipe the blade.

The maximum cutting diameter of this pruner is 5/8 of an inch. It also has well-padded handles to keep your hands comfortable while pruning.

The best thing about this pruner is its full lifetime warranty. Its all-steel design is protected, something that’s a big plus for such an affordable gardening tool.

For the best pruning results, always clean and lubricate the tool before every use. Also, store this in a dry place so it will last for years.

Overall, this is a trusty pruner suitable for those with medium to small-sized hands.

PROS
✔️Low-friction coating
✔️Self-cleaning bottom blade groove
✔️Well-padded handles
CONS
.
❌Not for very thick branches
.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it necessary to prune roses?  

A: Yes, pruning allows you to remove damaged parts to prevent the spread of diseases. Also, pruning allows roses to grow better and bigger flowers. Even though your roses may look stark after the pruning session, it will grow back fast.

Q: Is it fine to prune roses during autumn?

A: Yes, autumn is a great time to prune your roses since it’s a dormant system. You’ll get to avoid wind damage as well as the threat of heavy snow. Just make sure that you use the best pruning shears for roses to prevent damages to the plant.

Q: How short can I prune my roses?

A: During spring, you can trim your roses down at the height of 18 to 24 inches. The rule of thumb with roses is that the shorter you prune, the fewer but larger the blooms will be. If you want more blooms, you can leave your roses tall, but expect that the flowers will be smaller.

Q: What will happen if I choose not to prune my roses?

A: Roses can bloom well even if you don’t prune it. However, pruning is advisable so that you can prevent the onset of plant diseases. Aside from that, you have to remove the suckers so it won’t take over the plant. Failing to prune your roses may lead to an unkempt garden.

Q: Can I prune climbing roses?

A: Climbing roses can be pruned, but you should do so during a dormant period. It blooms twice during its growing season. It’s best to prune this kind of rose in the late part of winter or during a dormant season.


Final words

The best pruning shears for roses will help you keep your garden well-kept. Instead of improvising with various cutting tools, a pair of shears will come handy. Just make sure that you get the right type and size to suit your preference. What do you think of these pruning shears? Have you chosen one for your garden? Let us know in the comment section!

Leave a Reply