Roses require an annual prune during the winter months so January is an ideal time to undertake this task, according to gardening experts at David Austin Roses.
Despite the UK’s unpredictable winter weather, roses – particularly English varieties – are robust and can withstand the conditions well.
During the winter, roses enter a dormant state, meaning pruning is one of the few tasks that can be performed on them.
As UK temperatures are currently in single figures, gardeners may worry about their roses. Still, the plant’s dormancy means it can handle ice, snow, and other weather conditions easily.
The gardening gurus advise pruning in January or February to prepare the roses for the year ahead. If gardeners forget to prune in these months, March is also suitable.
Pruning roses for the first time can seem intimidating, especially for those not used to the task.
However, the team at Peter Beales Roses reassures gardeners that even if they accidentally over-prune, the roses will survive.
They stated: “Roses are tough and can take a lot more abuse than people give them credit for.”
Even roses that have been “rough pruned” using hedge trimmers instead of secateurs will still produce “an abundance of blooms” and grow just as successfully as carefully pruned roses.
While most roses require pruning in winter, tall hybrid tea roses may need a slight trim in the autumn to shield them from harsh winds.
However, these varieties should not be severely pruned in autumn as this could harm them during the winter months.
To prune your rose in winter, start by trimming them back as much as necessary, ensuring to shape them.
Then, get rid of any dead, dying, diseased or damaged stems from the plant.
If there is any remaining foliage, gardeners need to remove it and dispose of it properly.
