There are 2 pruning seasons throughout the year. The second one is the more important of the 2.
Less important – Fall is for light pruning that only aims to remove wilted flowers, dead wood and weaker branches.
More important – End of winter or the beginning of spring. This is when a more drastic and final pruning is performed, most often in very early spring (March). Follow the pruning tips below.
Pruning rose bush shrubs
Keep in mind that the purpose of the pruning is to cut the shrub short while keeping its main branches.
It is important to reduce old fibrous branches to make way for young shoots.
Pruning tries to keep the buds that will grow into flower-bearing branches as close as possible to the graft point.
Try to cut around the 4th outward-facing eye.
Also cut twigs and dead branches, and older stems, too.