Job to ‘always’ do when pruning roses to promote ‘better’ growth and a ‘second flowering’
According to a gardening expert, there is a lot to understand when it comes to rose pruning. However, it's almost "impossible" to kill a rose from overpruning so it's important not to be scared when tackling them.
Roses can blossom for many months during the summer and it can be sad when the flowers disappear until next year.
Luckily, pruning it can help it flower for longer, and encourage new growth as well as vigorous growth.
Monique Gudgeon, garden director of Sculpture by the Lakes, said: “Prune out dead, diseased and damaged growth always.
“Rambler roses need to have last year’s flowering stems removed and new growth and vigorous growth ties in to replace the old shoots.”
According to the pro, this keeps the plant vigorous and promotes “better flowering”.
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Climbing roses are really only very large shrub roses so they are pruned in the same way.
Monique added: “Shrub roses, which cover the multitude of different types including hybrid teas, floribundas and patio roses, are pruned to keep the general goblet shape.”
When it comes to deadheading, the expert said this depends on whether you like to keep rose hips for wildlife, which is often recommended.
The gardening pro continued: “Some roses don’t produce hips so just deadhead to a healthy outward-facing bud and it will encourage repeat flowering and keep it neat and tidy.
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“Large roses will need some height reduction if you are in a windy or exposed spot to cut down on root rock over the winter.
“Main pruning takes place in late winter so take out dead, diseased and damaged growth and decide what height you want it to flower.
“Remove crossing branches and weak growth, or very old unproductive growth and aim to get an open vaguely goblet shape.
“Cut to outward-facing buds and not too close to the bud itself but not too far, otherwise you will get dieback of the stem.”
Another job which can help to encourage more growth is to feed them once they start growing in spring.
They can also then be fed halfway through the summer after the first flush of flowers to promote a “second flowering”, according to Monique.
The gardening expert added: “A general spray with a rose feed two or three times during the season keeps them vigorous and less likely to pick up infections.
“When it comes to aphid infestations, spray them with soapy water in a spray bottle or wipe them off with your fingers.”
It’s best to keep it natural when it comes to pests in order to keep the rose healthy, so search for natural products if you do choose to go down the chemical route.
