Gardeners can help ensure that their roses are more abundant and have larger flowers next year by doing a simple 10-minute task in September, according to Monty Don
Gardeners might believe there’s little to accomplish in the garden now that temperatures are dropping, but dedicating time to one straightforward task will help boost roses.
Monty Don, most famous for being the principal gardener on Gardeners’ World, has revealed that giving rose bushes a clip will guarantee you achieve more plentiful and bigger blooms.
Trimming roses now in September requires much less work than at any other period of the year as the plant simply needs some gentle pruning to help ready them for winter.
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On his website, Monty explained: “I know that some gardeners are anxious about pruning roses but the many shrub varieties such as the gallicas, ‘English’ roses, albas or hybrid perpetuals are best simply trimmed with shears any time this month.”
He added: “Do not worry about the position or angle of the cuts but clip away all long, straggly shoots as though you were trimming a hedge, leaving a compact, slightly domed bush that is about two-thirds of its former size.”
Why should you prune roses in September? Roses are frequently given a severe pruning in springtime, but you can gently prune them now to help lessen strain on the plant which will promote more robust growth next year.
Pruning roses in September assists the plant in conserving energy by eliminating dying flowers, which enables it to concentrate on fortifying its roots to endure winter rather than on pointless growth, reports the Express.
Roses will cease flower production now and will instead start getting ready for their next flowering period, meaning you’ll enjoy healthier and more vigorous blooms when the plant emerges from winter dormancy come spring.
Monty explained: “In March, when you can see clearly without any foliage, you can inspect the shrub to remove any damaged or rubbing stems, but a simple shear in September is enough to keep it healthy and packed with flowers next year.”
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How to prune roses in September
It generally takes just 10 to 20 minutes to cut back roses in September, depending on how large the plant is. You’ll require a sharp pair of secateurs as well as gardening gloves to shield your hands from the rose prickles.
To start, simply remove spent blooms by snipping off any faded flowers, whilst keeping healthy green foliage untouched. Cut back any excessively long stems to help roses maintain their form and prevent them becoming too top-heavy, which could lead to plant damage during blustery or stormy conditions.
Clear away any timber that’s dying or damaged, and if the plant appears to be getting overgrown then lightly trim some of the smaller stems to boost air flow. After you’ve finished pruning, ensure you clear away all the trimmed material from the ground as it can draw pests and fungal problems if the debris gets soggy.
This swift and straightforward light trimming will help roses stay looking robust throughout autumn and ready them for the bitter winter so you’ll have flourishing rose blooms when spring returns.