By Dreeny8
Hertfordshire,
United Kingdom 
It's that time again when you start thinking of pruning,
especially the roses. My Climbing Rose is now two and half years old and I believe this is the time for its first real "hacking". The internet gives a lot of conflicting opinions on the subject which leaves me confused. It needs a good tidy up having become too big for its allocated spot, how much can I safely remove without
damaging any new growth/shoots. Many thanks friends.
dreeny8
30 Jan, 2012
Answers
My advice is to follow what you're doing currently - think about pruning, but don't do it yet. It's too early, and we're already at the beginning of a cold period and we don't know how long that will go on for. Wait till last week of February or first week of March to do the proper prune - and do it then regardless of the weather conditions.
30 Jan, 2012
Thank-u for replies so far. I have to emphasise "I am
thinking about pruning". With this very cold snap I cannot get motivated at all to venture outside yet. Plenty waiting for me I know. I suspect many of you are feeling the same!!
dreeny8
30 Jan, 2012
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They do say, if you prune early, new growth starts. In February there is often a vicious cold snap and new growth is damaged. Then there is a set back. If pruning is held off to end of February, the spring flush of growth won't get damaged. I think the 'do it any old time' outlook comes from a current tendency not to want any rules to have to be followed. Just do it, follow your own inclination, if that is what you want to do. I took one of my county roses right back to 6 inches 3 seasons ago in early March. Now it is back in all its straggly glory and will get the chop again, but not just yet.
30 Jan, 2012