As the summer season progresses, gardeners must provide extra care to ensure their roses continue to thrive.
While roses generally start the summer with robust growth, maintaining their health and beauty requires specific practices, including proper fertilisation, watering, and pruning.
Roses naturally draw moisture from the soil, but the rising temperatures of summer can place additional stress on these beloved plants.
To support their continued growth, additional fertilisation and careful watering are crucial.
Feeding roses twice a year can significantly enhance their blooming potential.
Claire Baglin from Toolstation stressed the importance of this practice, especially during spring and summer.
“Roses should be fertilised twice a year – once in spring and then again during the summer months,” she advised.
“Doing so now will fill your garden with bright, beautiful roses to enjoy alongside the nice weather.
“Ideally, roses should be fed before they have flowered, which is typically around March or April, however, you may still be able to catch them now.”
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) provides clear guidelines for watering roses, stressing the importance of directing water to the soil around the base of the plant.
“When watering, direct the flow onto the soil around the base of the plant, avoiding the foliage and flowers.
This helps to deter fungal diseases and avoid excess water use,” the RHS advises.
Gardeners should be aware that excessive summer heat can disrupt key growth processes in roses.
Therefore, additional watering may be necessary during particularly hot spells to keep the plants adequately hydrated.
Pruning is essential for keeping rose plants healthy and well-shaped.
The RHS recommends removing any dead, diseased, or damaged shoots and opening up the centre of the plant to improve air circulation, which helps deter fungal diseases.
Although pruning may seem daunting, it is generally a straightforward task that can be completed in a few minutes. Daniel Scholfield, director of The Expert Gate Company, highlights the importance of timely pruning.
“One of the most important tasks for having roses look their best is deadheading, the process of cutting off the flowers that are fading on your shrubs, once a week or so,” Scholfield explained. “Deadheading keeps rose shrubs blooming, as without deadheading, the plant begins to form seed pods instead of new flowers, leaving your shrubs looking pretty bare.”
By following these expert tips on fertilisation, watering, and pruning, gardeners can ensure their roses remain vibrant and healthy throughout the summer. Regular care and attention will reward them with a garden full of beautiful blooms to enjoy in the warm weather.
