'Leonardo da Vinci' is a relatively young breed that is a real feast for the eyes with its rosette-like, pink flowers and dense, bushy growth. This type of rose is very vigorous and, under good growing conditions, can grow to a height of two meters and just as wide - but this is not the only reason why regular pruning is so important. Without this, the bush will become bare over time and produce fewer and fewer flowers; Pruning, on the other hand, stimulates the development of fresh, young shoots and numerous flowers.
How do I cut the rose 'Leonardo da Vinci' correctly?
To prune the rose 'Leonardo da Vinci' properly, carry out a vigorous topiary in spring and cut the shoots back by about half. In summer, you should regularly remove spent flowers to encourage continuous flowering.
When is the right time to prune?
Cut back the shrub rose 'Leonardo da Vinci' heavily in early spring. The best time for this is between the end of May and the beginning of April, around the time the forsythia blooms. However, the thermometer should no longer fall below 0 °C; a mild, dry day is more suitable.
In spring: shaping rose 'Leonardo da Vinci'
In spring, the vigorous topiary is carried out, in which you cut the rose 'Leonardo da Vinci' back by about half. This rose variety tolerates severe pruning very well and then sprouts even more vigorously. When cutting, proceed as follows:
- First remove dead and diseased wood.
- Shoots that grow too densely and crosswise are then removed.
- Weak, thin shoots are cut back heavily
- or removed completely.
- Strong ones reduced by half
- up to one eye pointing outwards.
- You can shorten older, lazy shoots by at least two thirds
- or remove directly at the base.
Ultimately, leave a maximum of between four and eight strong shoots that are only half as high as before the cut.
In summer: remove dead flowers regularly
'Leonardo da Vinci' is one of the shrub roses that blooms more often and shows off its blooms tirelessly between June and September. To ensure that it stays that way, you should remove dead flowers regularly. Only then will the plant be continually stimulated to produce new flowers, and this measure also serves to maintain its he alth. 'Leonardo da Vinci' does not shed dead flowers reliably, so that these flower heads dry out on the bush and can subsequently serve as a gateway for various pathogens.
Tip
If possible, avoid cutting back rose bushes in the fall. There is a risk that the shoots will freeze back even further during the winter.
