The Persian Art of Rose Pruning

Persia’s (Iran’s) relationship with roses spans over three thousand years, deeply rooted in poetry, perfume, and garden traditions. Persian rose cultivation is more than horticulture—it is a spiritual practice reflecting the paradise ideal of Islamic gardens and Persian culture’s passion for beauty and fragrance. The Persian approach emphasizes natural elegance, abundant fragrance, and harmony with other garden elements.

Understanding Persian Rose Categories

Persian rose tradition centers on ancient fragrant varieties:

Damask Rose (گل محمدی – Gol-e Mohammadi)

Rosa damascena: The heart of Persian rose cultivation
Intense fragrance, used for rosewater and essential oils
Spring flowering, some varieties repeat bloom
Height 1.5-2 meters

Cabbage Rose (گل صد برگ – Gol-e Sad Barg)

Rosa centifolia: “The hundred-petaled rose”
Extremely double, rich fragrance
Once-flowering in spring
More compact growth

French Rose (گل سرخ – Gol-e Sorkh)

Rosa gallica: One of the oldest cultivated roses
Deep crimson to pink
Drought-tolerant, suited to Iranian climate
Easy suckering propagation

Musk Rose (گل نسترن – Gol-e Nastaran)

Rosa moschata: Evening fragrance intensifies
Climbing habit
Late-season flowering
Used for pergolas and arches

Modern Persian Hybrids

Combine old roses with modern disease resistance
Maintain traditional fragrance
Adapted to Iranian climate conditions

Persian Pruning Philosophy

“چون بهار آید، گل را آزاد کن” (When spring comes, set the rose free)

Persian rose pruning embodies Islamic garden design principles:

Nature within Order

Roses should appear naturally grown
The human hand should be invisible yet present
Form follows function and beauty

Fragrance over Appearance

Prune to maximize flowering (hence fragrance)
Air circulation crucial for fragrance dispersal
Fewer perfect flowers better than many mediocre ones

Harmony with Water

Persian gardens designed around water channels
Pruning considers irrigation access
Plant form reflects water flow

Timing: Following the Persian Calendar

Spring Pruning (اسفند to فروردین – Mid-February to March)

The main pruning season corresponds with Persian New Year (Nowruz):

Optimal Timing: When apricot trees bloom

In Karaj and Tehran: Late February to early March
In Isfahan and Shiraz: Early to mid-March
In Tabriz and northern regions: Mid to late March
In Yazd and desert areas: Mid-February

Persian Indicators:

When the spring equinox (Nowruz) approaches
When the first swallows return
When rose buds begin to swell but haven’t broken

Persian Spring Pruning Method

For Damask Roses (Primary Method)

“سه شاخه قوی” (Three Strong Branches) Principle

Select 3-5 strongest, healthiest main canes:

Thick as a thumb or thicker
Green and vigorous
2-3 years old preferred
Evenly distributed around the plant

Height Reduction

Cut selected canes to:

60-90 cm from ground
Higher than English method (preserving natural grace)
5-8 mm above outward-facing bud
45-degree angle sloping away from bud

Remove Old Wood (حذف شاخه های پیر)

Remove completely at base:

Canes over 4-5 years old
Anything thinner than a pencil
Inward-growing canes
Dead, diseased, or damaged wood

Open Center (مرکز باز)

Create vase shape, but more natural than Western style:

Allow light and air to reach center
Facilitate flower picking for rosewater production
Promote fragrance flow from inside outward
Prevent fungal diseases in humid Iranian springs

Lateral Branch Pruning (هرس شاخه های جانبی)

Shorten side shoots on main canes to:

2-3 buds
Create short flowering spurs
Concentrate energy into fewer, larger blooms
Enhance fragrance of each flower

For Cabbage Roses and French Roses

Lighter approach:

Moderate Pruning

Reduce height by one-third only
These old roses flower better on older wood
Maintain natural shrub form

Thinning (تنک کردن)

Remove crowded canes to improve air circulation
Take out oldest 1-2 canes at base annually
Keep plant constantly renewing

Tip Pruning

Lightly trim branch tips
Cut above first strong bud
Encourage branching

For Climbing and Rambling Roses (گل های بالا رونده)

Training Framework (Years 1-3)

Arrange main canes horizontally or fan-shaped on pergola
Secure to supports using palm fiber rope or soft cloth strips
Don’t prune main framework canes (only dead tips)

Flowering Branch Pruning (گل شاخه ها)

For established plants:

Shorten side shoots growing from main canes to 15-20 cm
These produce flowers
Slightly longer than English method (Persian aesthetic prefers more natural appearance)

Renewal (تجدید)

After 5-6 years, remove one old main cane at base annually
Train new young cane to replace
Maintain vigor and flowering

Persian Cutting Technique

Tool Preparation (آماده سازی ابزار)

Traditional Persian tools:

Sharp sickle-shaped pruning shears (قیچی باغبانی)
Disinfect with vinegar, not alcohol (Islamic tradition)
Keep sharp as a razor (چون تیغ تیز)
Clean cuts heal faster with less disease

The Perfect Cut (برش کامل)

Position

5-8 mm above outward-facing bud
Slightly higher than English standard (adapted to hot climate)
Higher cut dries out less in intense sun

Angle

45 degrees sloping away from bud
Drainage less critical in dry climate
But prevents water pooling on bud (if spring rains occur)

Execution

Single clean cut
No tearing or crushing
If using saw, smooth afterward
Large cuts can be sealed with mud and ash mixture (traditional method)

Summer Care (مراقبت تابستانی)

Deadheading (گل چینی)

Central to Persian rose cultivation:

Harvest Timing (for Rosewater – برای گلاب)

For rosewater production:

Pick at dawn when dew is still present
Flowers should be fully open but not over-blown
Maximum fragrance in early morning
Traditionally completed before sunrise

Picking Method:

Cut to first five-leaflet leaf
Leave 3-4 leaves on branch
Allows plant to produce new flowering shoots

Ornamental Deadheading

For garden display:

Remove spent flowers to prolong blooming
Cut to strong outward-facing bud
Stop deadheading in high summer (let plant rest)

Irrigation Management (مدیریت آبیاری)

Persian method follows traditional qanat (water channel) systems:

Spring (اردیبهشت):

Moderate watering during flowering
Deep watering once weekly
Early morning irrigation

Summer (خرداد to شهریور):

Increase during extreme heat (Tehran reaches 40°C+)
But allow soil to dry between waterings
Avoid water on foliage (fungal prevention)

Autumn (مهر):

Reduce watering
Prepare for dormancy
Stop before first frost

Winter (آبان to بهمن):

Minimal to no watering
Only during extended drought
Dormant plants need little moisture

Fertilization (کوددهی)

Traditional Persian methods:

Spring (فروردین)

After pruning:

Aged animal manure (کود حیوانی)
Bone meal (پودر استخوان)
Wood ash (خاکستر چوب) for potassium
Dig shallow trench around plant
Mix with soil and water in

Post-Flowering (اردیبهشت)

After first bloom:

Light application of compost tea
Support possible second flowering
Replenish plant energy

Autumn Preparation (شهریور)

Final feeding:

Aged compost
No nitrogen (promotes tender growth)
Help canes mature before winter

Autumn Pruning (هرس پاییزی)

Timing: مهر (Late September to October)

Persian autumn method is conservative:

Tidying Only (فقط مرتب کردن)

Reduce height by one-third to prevent wind damage
Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged canes
No hard pruning—that’s spring work

Cleanup (تمیز کردن)

Remove all rose leaves from ground:

Prevent black spot spores overwintering
Burn or bury deeply—never compost
Cleanliness is part of Persian garden aesthetic

Tie in Climbers

Secure loose canes
Check support stability
Tie with soft materials

Winter Protection (حفاظت زمستانی)

Regional Variations

Northern and Western Regions (Tabriz, Kurdistan):

Cold winters (down to -20°C):

Mound soil at plant base (کپه زدن)
Mound height 20-30 cm
Cover with straw in extreme cold areas
Protect graft union

Central Plateau (Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd):

Moderate winters:

Minimal protection
Only young plants mounded
Mature plants need no protection

Southern and Desert Regions (Shiraz, Yazd):

Mild winters:

No winter protection needed
Focus on drainage (winter rains)
Possible shade needed (intense winter sun)

Special Techniques for Persian Garden Pruning

“چهار باغ” (Chahar Bagh – Four Gardens) System

In traditional Persian garden design:

Symmetrical Planting

Roses planted symmetrically along water channels:

Prune to maintain balance
Plants on both sides should mirror
But maintain natural appearance

Height Gradation

Create visual hierarchy:

Tallest roses at back (near background walls)
Medium height along paths
Shortest near water
Prune to maintain this gradation

“ایوان” (Iwan – Pergola) Rose Training

For climbing roses on arched structures:

Spiral Training (آموزش مارپیچی)

Spiral canes around columns
Encourage flowering along entire length
Create fragrant curtain of blooms
Secure with palm fiber or cloth strips

Weaving Method (بافتن)

For multiple plants on same pergola:

Weave canes from different plants together
Create intricate patterns
Mix colors and fragrances
Requires patience and artistic vision

“گل محمدی” Production Pruning

For commercial rosewater production (Kashan, Qamsar):

Maximize Yield

Prune harder than ornamental roses
Encourage more flowering shoots
Reduce to 30-40 cm height
Dense planting (60-80 cm spacing)

Renewal Cycle

Complete renewal every 5-6 years
Cut all canes to 15 cm
Allow complete regeneration
Restores vigor and production

Harvest Pruning

When picking:

Take only flower and short stem
Leave as much foliage on plant as possible
Supports continued production
Season lasts 3-4 weeks

Traditional Persian Companion Planting

With Aromatic Herbs (گیاهان معطر)

Roses planted with:

Basil (ریحان – Reyhan): Sacred and aromatic
Mint (نعناع – Na’na): Cooling and fragrant
Lavender (اسطوخودوس – Ostokhoddus): Complementary scent
Jasmine (یاس – Yas): Night fragrance

Along Water Channels (کنار جوی)

Traditional planting:

Roses line qanat water channels
Spaced 1.5-2 meters apart
Pruned to allow access for channel maintenance
Reflection in water creates double beauty

In Orchards (در باغ)

Persian garden integration:

Roses under fruit trees (pomegranate, fig)
Provides afternoon shade
Shares irrigation system
Prune to complement tree form

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Heat Stress (استرس گرما)

Symptoms:

Wilting leaves even with water
Flower buds dropping before opening
Leaf edge scorching

Solutions:

Increase watering frequency (but not amount)
Provide afternoon shade
Mulch around plant to cool roots
Prune lighter during extreme heat

Powdery Mildew (سفیدک)

Common in humid springs:

Prevention:

Prune heavily in spring for air circulation
Avoid overhead watering
Space adequately
Remove infected leaves

Traditional Treatments:

Milk and water spray (1:9 ratio)
Baking soda solution
Garlic infusion

Suckers (پاجوش)

Persian roses often grown on own roots:

For grafted roses:

Regularly check for growth below graft union
Remove suckers below soil line
Dig to find attachment point
Remove completely

Regional Pruning Adaptations

Caspian Region (Gilan, Mazandaran)

Humid, mild climate:

More aggressive pruning for fungal pressure
Excellent air circulation essential
Remove old canes more frequently
Late spring pruning (more rainfall)

Central Plateau (Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd)

Dry, extreme climate:

Higher pruning than English method
Retain more foliage for shading
Focus on drought-resistant varieties
Early spring pruning

Western Mountains (Kurdistan, Lorestan)

Cold winters, cool summers:

Can prune harder (mild summers)
Excellent climate for old roses
Late spring pruning (April)
Heavy winter protection

Southern Coastal (Bushehr, Hormozgan)

Hot, humid:

Roses challenging here
Choose heat-tolerant varieties
Light pruning (conserve energy)
Emphasize drainage

Persian Rose Poetry and Pruning

“گل بی خار نمی شود” (There is no rose without thorns)

Persian pruning wisdom infused with poetry:

Saadi’s Wisdom: “If wounded by the rose’s thorn, Do not complain, For the joy the rose garden gives Is worth the momentary pain.”

Pruning Principle:

Work patiently, respecting thorns
Wear thick leather gloves
Prune from bottom up
Honor plant’s natural defenses

Hafez’s Teaching: “The gardener knows the secret: Pruning is not punishment, But invitation for the rose to bloom freely.”

Pruning Philosophy:

Pruning is liberation, not harm
Remove weak to strengthen strong
Every cut has purpose
Rose becomes more beautiful through pruning

Year-Round Calendar

Bahman (January to mid-February)

Dormant pruning period
Plan spring work
Tool preparation and sharpening
Study new varieties

Esfand (mid-February to mid-March)

Main pruning season
Begin when buds swell
Complete before Nowruz
Apply spring fertilizers

Farvardin (mid-March to mid-April)

New growth emerges
Light pruning for shaping
Begin regular watering
Monitor for pests

Ordibehesht (mid-April to mid-May)

Main flowering season
Daily harvest for rosewater
Deadhead to prolong bloom
Enjoy fragrance and beauty

Khordad (mid-May to mid-June)

Late-season flowers
Post-bloom fertilization
Deep watering begins
Prepare for summer heat

Tir (mid-June to mid-July)

Summer maintenance
Light tidying
Increase watering
Provide afternoon shade

Mordad (mid-July to mid-August)

Minimal activity (extreme heat)
Early morning watering
Monitor for stress
Remove dead material

Shahrivar (mid-August to mid-September)

Prepare for autumn
Light pruning
Begin reducing water
Plan autumn planting

Mehr (mid-September to mid-October)

Autumn tidying
Reduce height
Clean up fallen leaves
Autumn fertilization

Aban (mid-October to mid-November)

Minimal pruning
Winter preparation
Mounding in cold regions
Secure climbing roses

Azar (mid-November to mid-December)

Dormancy begins
No pruning
Reduce watering
Winter protection

Dey (mid-December to mid-January)

Full dormancy
No garden work
Plan for coming year
Order new varieties

The Result: Gardens Fit for Paradise

By following these ancient Persian methods, gardeners create:

Roses fragrant as heaven
Graceful forms reflecting Islamic garden ideals
Healthy plants adapted to Iranian extremes
Gardens that have inspired poets and artists for centuries

The Persian approach to rose pruning embodies “باغ، تصویر بهشت است” (The garden is an image of paradise). Every cut is an act of prayer, every rose a reflection of divine beauty, every fragrance a portal to transcendence.

The Eram Garden of Shiraz, Chehel Sotoun of Isfahan, and Fin Garden of Kashan are not merely horticultural achievements—they are spiritual landscapes where roses play the central role. As the 13th-century poet Rumi wrote:

“The rose in the rose garden Does not bloom for the gardener, But because it must— Because blooming is its nature. The gardener’s task Is to remove all that obstructs this nature.”

This is the essence of Persian pruning: not imposing will upon the plant, but liberating its inner perfection. When done in this spirit, the result is not merely a beautiful garden, but a glimpse of the eternal itself.