Flowering around June, rambling roses require pruning in late summer then again between late autumn and late winter in order to thrive.
January is in the middle of British winter, so now is the ideal time to carry out gardening work on rambling roses when it is easier to see what you are doing.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) elaborated: “It is easier to see what you are doing when the rose is not in leaf. Plus there is a better response from the rose, which should grow back vigorously the following spring.”
By pruning right now, if you haven’t already, you are guaranteed the most beautiful blooms come early summertime to make a garden paradise.
Routine pruning for ramblers involves thinning and shortening excessive growth by removing one in three of the oldest stems entirely.
The RHS added: “If space is restricted, prune out all stems that have flowered and tie new ones in to take their place. Finish by shortening side shoots by about two-thirds.”
To renovate overgrown ramblers, all the dead, diseased, dying and weak shoots need to be removed. The RHS instructed: “Cut some of the old woody branches to the ground, retaining a maximum of six young, vigorous stems that can be secured to supports.
“Saw away any dead stumps at the base of the plant, where rain can collect and encourage rot. Shorten side shoots on the remaining branches and prune back the tips by one-third to one half, to encourage branching.”
The RHS added: “Give pruned plants a boost in the spring by spreading a granular rose fertiliser over the soil and mulch them with a 5cm layer of garden compost.
Be on the lookout for a range of diseases, such as rose rust or rose powdery mildew that both will need to be addressed.
Rose rust
Rose rust is a fungal disease; be on the lookout for orange or black pustules on the underside of leaves. These will need to be pruned immediately once spotted to prevent the disease from spreading.
Yellow spots will appear on the upper surfaces of the leaves of the rambling roses, corresponding to pustules of dusty orange spores on the lower surface.
Fungicides can be used but chemical controls may be one of the last resorts that you might want to do.
Rose powdery mildew
One of the most common foliar disease, powdery mildew is white fungal growth on the leaves and shoots.
Ramblers grown in places with good air circulation, such as over arches or pergolas, are less likely to develop powdery mildew than those grown closely against walls or sheltered corners.
Rambling roses are less likely to develop powdery mildew if they are planted in full sun, when possible, and have good drainage.
