How to remove a rosebud - spot it before it steals the show

Shoots are as nasty as they sound: unwanted shoots will literally drain the life out of your roses. That’s why it’s so important to know how to remove rosebuds.

There is an abundance of things to do with roses in march to encourage the growth of healthy, abundant blooms, but many gardeners (myself included!) neglect rose shoots. They’re a hidden threat for sure – but once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to get rid of them before they sap your plant’s energy.

Here’s how to spot rosebuds and remove them properly before they start to affect this year’s flowers.

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When I first learned how to grow rosesi had no idea suckers existed. At least I didn’t realize the effect they could have on plants.

padsand below the graft junction you will find emerging shoots.

“Suckers in their simplest form can ‘suck out’ all the goodness that is being taken up through the roots before it reaches your variety, and so they need to be removed,” explains Liam Bedall, Rosarian’s head of David Austin Rose.

So how do you spot a rosebud?

Close up of pink roses growing on a rose plant in the garden

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes Photography)

“The shoots will come out from below the bud union, the knuckles or spikes, which is where all the green stems are produced,” says Liam. “They are very pale green in colour, will have jagged leaf edges, needle-like spines and no signs of reddening in color like new growth.”

You may find that there are no shoots on your rose plant – I checked for them and mine yesterday (Rose “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Crocuswhich produces the most beautiful perfume fragrance) was clear. Liam told me that they are actually less common with the pads used today.

If you do spot a shoot that matches Liam’s description, it’s best to remove it as soon as you can.

Close up of pink roses growing on a rose plant in the garden

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes Photography)

Technique is actually really important when it comes to learning how to remove rosebuds.

“They can be pulled up and removed from their point of origin,” says Liam. “Don’t cut them at soil level and leave some leftover, as if you leave something behind it can encourage more.”

There’s also the old rule of thumb to count leaflets to spot a rosebud, but Liam says it’s best to avoid this as a guide.

“Don’t rely on the old adage of counting seven petals and identifying as a shoot, as a rose can have 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 (etc.) petals per leaf. Instead, use the above identifiers or ask an expert.’