Surprisingly, January’s an active month for gardeners who love roses. There are two important things to be done now: rose pruning and rose planting. Both can be a lot of fun if you don’t feel rushed and you have the right tools.

Pruning Basics Pruning can be quite therapeutic—mild physical activity done in a peaceful setting warmed by the winter sun. Using the right tools is critical for success and enjoyment. Leather or heavy-duty gauntlet rose gloves will protect hands and arms from thorn damage. High-quality hand pruners are also essential. Use Swissmade Felco pruners or the highest quality from American-made Corona. Felco makes a version for smaller hands as well as a pruner for left-handers. Long-handled pruners may be needed for the large branches of old, long-established rose bushes. Corona’s lightweight, aluminum-handled pruners are best.

A Critical Rule Established rose bushes are quite indestructibl; they can be pruned to within But there is one critical rule of success: make all cuts just above a leaf or leaf node—ideally one that faces away from the center of the shrub. If cuts are made below the node, then you’ll likely get dieback. The stem begins to turn black and die—often all the way to the ground.

Planting Roses The selection of roses at nurseries is largest at the beginning of the year and they are easily planted while dormant. (Dormant means they’re not actively growing. It also means they’ve been pruned and leaves have been removed.) Dormant roses planted during January and February begin to send out new roots into the surrounding soil and will burst forth with new growth and flowers come spring.

New Roses The climbing rose Eden has huge, old-fashioned roses of pale pink and cream. New this year is Eden Pretty in Pink, a climber with vibrant, rich pink cabbage roses. Anna’s Promise is part of the Downton Abby rose series. It has unique coloring: golden petals blushed warm pink with a glowing bronze reverse. Heavily flowering Doris Day is a pure golden yellow rose with a strong spiced fruit fragrance.

The new rose named for Neil Diamond recalls his textured voice with deep pink flowers irregularly mottled and splashed with white. Neil Diamond has an intense sweet fragrance. Ketchup & Mustard, introduced a year ago, is still in demand for its striking, bright red flowers with an intense yellow reverse.

Planting Roses live a long time in the garden, so prepare the soil well. Dig a hole twice the width of the container and one and a half times the depth. Amend the soil with an organic Rose planting mix and SureStart fertilizer, following the directions on the bags.

Remove the container and set the rose so that the soil level of the container matches the garden soil level. Fill in around the root ball, firming the soil. Make a trough of dirt around the rose to hold a couple of inches of water. Water thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the rose leafs out. Reduce watering after that.

Armstrong Garden Centers offers free classes on rose pruning where all points are dem onstrated.

Visit www.armstronggarden.com for more information.

Gary Jones is the Chief Horticulturalist at Armstrong Garden Centers. Email him your gardening questions to growingdialogue@armstronggarden.com.

Armstrong free classes in January Armstrong Garden Centers’ scheduled workshops for January 2015:

• 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 – Orchid Care – Growing orchids is easy once you understand the basic types. We’ll show you the simple steps of repotting.

• 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 – Creating a Fairy Garden – Fairy gardens are fun and enchanting and everyone has room to garden on a small scale. Our experts will show you how to create your own personal, imaginative world.

Each class will be instructed by a nursery professional who will offer timely gardening advice and hands-on demonstrations. Advance registration or RSVP is not required to attend. Classes are open to gardeners of all levels. Armstrong Garden Centers also offers free garden talks from the experts for local garden clubs, homeowners associations and other small groups in the community.