Ladybirds are a crucial part of keeping plants and natural ecosystems alive, and one gardening expert has shared his crucial advice to anyone who notices them on their plants
Ladybirds are crucial for keeping plants alive(Image: Getty Images/500px)
If you spot ladybirds landing on your roses or garden leaves – there is one crucial thing to do. Many people will get enjoyment out of seeing their plants grow and they are also loved by ladybirds too. However, you may think of them as pests ruining your petals, but in fact they are the opposite.
They are beneficial insects that play a crucial role in controlling garden pests, rather than being pests themselves, and the tiny insects could help your roses bloom even more so.
Plant expert Mark Dwelly, Head Gardener at Audley Stanbridge Earls has urged all green fingered gardeners to not remove them if they are seen on plants. He said: “Ladybirds love eating aphids so if you ever see them on your rose bushes, don’t be alarmed as they’ll be acting as pest control for your flowers.”
Ladybirds are renowned for their appetite for aphids, which are common garden pests that can damage plants by sucking their sap. They also consume other pests like whiteflies, mealybugs, and scale insects, further helping with plant pest management. It means they also help contribute to the plant ecosystem, helping keep all different types of plants and flowers alive.
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Ladybirds eat aphids, small white insects on plants(Image: Getty Images)
When it comes to looking after your roses, it’s important you water them correctly in order for them to bloom and thrive. Mark advised to “give them a good soak at the base once a week especially if the weather is hot or dry. Try not to splash the leaves though, as wet leaves can invite trouble such as mildew.”
They particularly love the sun, and he aims to plant his roses where they can get “at least half a day’s worth of sunlight to help them thrive”.
The expert further noted: “Roses are also hungry plants. Feed them during spring when you see new leaves appear, and then again after each big flush of flowers to replenish them.” He advised to use specialised rose food or “simply sprinkle some general garden fertiliser around the base,” but urged people to remember to stop feeding them in late summer so they can prepare for winter.
It’s also important to prune your roses as well noted the expert, and encourages people to safely snip off faded flowers to “encourage more blooms during the warmer months.” He said most new roses will flower in bursts from late spring right through to autumn and said this will happen as long as you keep removing the old flowers. However old fashioned type of roses only tend to bloom once.
So when it comes to watering, Mark advised to “give them a good soak at the base once a week especially if the weather is hot or dry. Try not to splash the leaves though, as wet leaves can invite trouble such as mildew.”
They particularly love the sun, and he aims to plant his roses where they can get “at least half a day’s worth of sunlight to help them thrive”.
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