January is one of the dreariest months of the year, so it seems hard to picture a time when it’ll be warm and sunny again. But it won’t be long before our gardens have burst back into bloom, and there are certain jobs that need doing – even when it’s freezing out.
Gardening expert Paul Parker from plants and bulbs specialists J. Parker’s says that January is actually the perfect time to get some work done in the garden. And this is especially true if you have a climbing rose plant, which might look a bit sad at the moment. However, giving them a good prune before they flower again will help to ensure ‘bountiful’ blooms, according to the pro.
Paul explained: “If you have a climbing rose in your garden, now is the perfect time to give it a hard prune. Pruning your climbing roses in January, while the plant is dormant, will help its shape and prepare them for a bountiful bloom come summer.
“It is important not to prune climbing roses for two years after planting, to give them the best chance of establishing.”
How to prune climbing roses
First, remove any dead, diseased or dying branches. Then, tie in any new shoots needed to fill supports. Prune any side shoots back by two thirds of their length.
Finally, support your climbing rose by tying the main stems to a trellis or structure.
If the plant is really heavily congested, cut out any old branches from the base to promote new growth when springtime comes.
The experts at Gardeners World say it’s very important to prune your roses at this time of year. If you forget, you’re likely to end up with a huge mass of weak, twiggy stems, which can stop blooms from forming.
On top of this, crossing stems can cause dieback and lead to disease, making your climbing rose more likely to develop fungal infections.
Comments are closed.