Use sharp, clean pruning shears and cut approximately 5 mm above the bud, with the cut sloping away from it. Here is how to do it: Remove blooms that have wilted, browned or lost their petals. When a rose begins to wilt, resist the temptation to pull off just the flower head. Instead, follow its stem down to a healthy leaf and look for a bud pointing away from the centre of the plant. The RHS recommends making a clean cut just above a bud, sloping it away from the bud so water does not collect on it. Oregon State University Extension advises cutting back to an outward-facing bud to encourage healthy growth and better airflow. Look for a healthy, outward-facing bud or suitable leaf joint. Check your rose plant regularly during its flowering season and remove spent blooms.
Roses generally perform best in sunny positions and fertile, well-drained soil. Plants growing in excessive shade may produce fewer flowers, regardless of how carefully they are pruned. A layer of suitable organic mulch, such as well-rotted garden compost, can help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil structure. Keep the mulch away from direct contact with the rose stems.