While feeding and watering are important gardening tasks for the growth of any rose bush, one specific job can make all the difference between a few scattered blooms and a garden full of pretty flowers.
It’s a simple yet crucial task that encourages repeat flowering and helps the plant channel its energy efficiently. Timing is key, and this window of opportunity only lasts for a limited time. According to an expert, what you do now will directly impact how your roses perform all season long. But what is it?
That all-important task is pruning, and for most rose varieties, it’s best done in early summer – right about now.
“Taking time to prune your roses properly is essential,” says LeAnne Samuelson, a gardening expert from Prestige Botanicals.
“If you get it right, the plant responds with vigorous new growth and an abundance of flowers. You really do get back what you put in.”
That said, LeAnne cautions that not all roses should be cut just yet. Those that bloom only in winter or early spring, such as the popular banksia rose, should be left untouched until their flowering period ends.
For the rest of your rose bushes, however, it’s go time – and preparation is everything. Before picking up the secateurs, gather the right tools: a sharp pair of pruners, a pruning saw for woody stems, and gloves to protect your hands.
Equipment will also need to be sterilised with disinfectant before and after use, as roses are particularly vulnerable to diseases that can spread through dirty blades.
Start by cutting back the top third of each plant, removing faded flowers, unruly leaves, and any suckers growing from below the graft. LeAnne notes these shoots can rob your rose of its vigour if left unchecked.
Next, focus on shaping the base of the plant by clearing out dead, weak or tangled stems.
“This is where you might need the pruning saw,” LeAnne advises. “Once cut, make sure you clear away all the debris, as dead material left sitting can invite disease, which roses are especially prone to.”
After clearing, establish a strong framework by selecting three to five healthy stems and cutting the rest. Always make your cuts just above an outward-facing bud to encourage growth that spreads outwards and improves airflow.
Finish off by spraying with lime sulphur to protect new cuts from fungal infections, then mulch with five centimetres of organic matter to lock in moisture and keep roots cool. Once that’s all done, you can rest assured you will have a beautiful rose bush that remains vivid all summer long.