Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
Would you be kind enough to let me know if I should let the rose hips develop on my roses or should they be cut off? Someone told me that letting the hips develop inhibits the production of flowers in the spring. I always enjoy your very informative articles. Thank you so much. Nan
Answer
Hi Nan,
As you know, rose hips are the fruit of the rose
plant that contain the seeds. I recommend
that you leave the rose hips on the plants for
the winter. They are pretty focal points to look
at all winter long and are a wonderful source
of food for the birds during the cold weather
when it's hard for them to find food. In the
spring, cut off what's left of the rose hips
when you are doing your pruning and thinning
(before the roses bloom). During the growing season, cut off the rose hips
after blooming so the plant puts its energy into making flowers and not fruit.
After September 1, I usually do not cut off the spent flowers of roses so that
the hips will grow heading into winter. Thank you for your question.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.