According to a gardening expert, June is the perfect time to give your garden roses some extra care, and if you do it right, they’ll be “blooming for months”. LeAnne Samuleson from Prestige Botanicals said the secret to a summer full of roses lies in the way you prune. The expert said: “Taking time to prune your roses properly is essential.
“If you get it right, the plant responds with vigorous new growth and an abundance of flowers. You really do get back what you put in.” However, it’s important to prune at the correct time, as ones which flower only in late winter or early spring should be left alone until after flowering.
This will typically be in late spring or early summer, so it’s important to know which variety you have at hand.
A sharp, clean pair of secateurs is a must, as is a pruning saw for thicker stems, according to the expert.
To start, remove the top layer of growth by cutting back about a third of the plant, including any faded flowers or straggly leaves.
The expert also advised removing any sprouting shoots from the rootstock below the graft, as these can divert energy away from the bush.
LeAnne added: “You want to get rid of any weak, dead or woody stems at the bottom. This is where you might need the pruning saw.
“Once cut, make sure you clear away all the debris, as dead material left sitting can invite disease, which roses are especially prone to.
“Choose three to five strong, healthy stems to form the plant’s structure. Remove anything else, and always make your cuts just above an outward-facing bud.”
According to the pro, this helps the plant grow away from the centre and encourages airflow.
Once pruned, it’s time to keep diseases at bay by spraying the entire bush with lime sulphur to guard against black spot and other common fungal infections.
Don’t wait too long to do this, as new shoots are sensitive and can burn if sprayed late.
Lastly, finish things off with a generous layer of mulch, around three to five centimetres should do the trick.
