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.
