Prune roses when they are dormant and just before new growth starts, typically late winter to early spring. The exact timing varies by climate, but you can aim for:

• General rule: prune in late winter to early spring, once the worst of the cold is over and before new growth begins.
• By region: in milder climates, this may be January to March; in colder areas, wait until late February to March when the risk of hard frosts has diminished.
• Varieties matters: most roses (including hybrid teas, floribundas, and many modern shrub roses) are pruned during dormancy. Rambling and climbing roses are often pruned after their flowering period, or lightly in late winter to encourage new flowering later in the season.

Key pruning tips to apply during this window:

• Remove dead, diseased, and damaged wood first, cutting back to healthy tissue.
• Open the center to improve air circulation; remove crossing or rubbing canes.
• Cut back canes to outward-facing buds to shape a vase-style plant.
• Make clean, angled cuts just above a bud, about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) above it.
• Remove weak or inner growth to reduce crowding and promote stronger new shoots.
• Clean tools between plants to prevent disease spread.
• After pruning, mulch and feed appropriately to support the new growth.

If you’re in a particularly mild region and roses begin to leaf out early, you can still prune but be mindful not to encourage new tender growth during a late frost window. If you have specific rose types (e.g., ramblers vs. shrub roses) or your local climate details, I can tailor the timing and pruning approach more precisely.