Lenzenroses do not require pruning. The easy-care perennials die down in summer, leaving only a few mostly withered leaves behind. What you should consider when cutting the Lenten rose. When is the best time for a cut?
When and how should you cut a spring rose?
Pruning Lenten roses is necessary to remove wilted flowers and leaves, diseased leaves, old plant remains or, in autumn, the rest of the perennial. Gloves should be worn when cutting as the plant is poisonous.
Cutting the Lenten rose – when is a cut necessary?
- Withered flowers
- withered or diseased leaves
- cut the perennial back completely in autumn
- remove old leaves before flowering
Remove wilted flowers and leaves
If the sight bothers you, you can continually cut off withered flowers and leaves. However, this is not really necessary.
Only if there are any diseases on the leaves should you remove them immediately and dispose of them with household waste.
Pruning in autumn
Most spring roses become mostly dormant in the summer. Then only withered stems remain. You should leave these until autumn, just to see where the Lenten rose is.
In autumn, cut off any wilted remains of the perennial so that they do not interfere with new growth.
Before the flowering period, you should check whether there are still any old plant remains. Cut these off so that they don't cover the flowers.
Wear gloves when cutting spring roses
Lengenroses are poisonous in all parts. The toxin helleborein, found in the leaves, flowers and roots, has the same effect as digitalis. Hellebrin also irritates the nasal mucous membranes and leads to sneezing fits. This is where the plant gets its name.
When cutting spring roses, always wear gloves (€14.00 on Amazon) and avoid sniffing the flowers.
Cut Lenten rose for the vase
The flowers of the Lenten rose can be easily cut as flowers for the vase. Choose sufficiently long stems with flowers that are not yet fully open.
The flowers last for several days in the vase if the air temperatures are not too high.
Place the vase in a place inaccessible to children and pets.
Tip
Unlike Christmas roses, spring roses do not tolerate calcareous soils well. In this case, improve the potting soil with sand and compost. Layers of mulch that have to be renewed every year also have a descaling effect.
