Spring pruning of roses

Now is the time to prepare your roses for the coming season by cutting back to encourage new growth to come up from the base of the bush, as roses flower on the same year’s growth.
John Shannon. INLT 13-802-CONJohn Shannon. INLT 13-802-CON
John Shannon. INLT 13-802-CON

The first thing to consider when pruning or cutting back bush roses is to identify any dead wood, which should be cut out completely, back into good healthy wood, cutting just above an outward-facing, healthy bud. Then go on to identify any very weak wood, which should also be cut out. Select three or four of the strongest and healthiest shoots from the bottom up and cut back to just above a bud facing outwards (if possible). This will make for a more balanced bush when it starts to grow.

When pruning, always use a good pair of secateurs to make a clean cut. Give your roses a good feed using Westland Rose Fertiliser in May and July to stimulate more flowers and give healthy foliage and help to reduce any incidence of disease.

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Roses can be planted at any time of the year, if they are in containers. Plant in the garden as long as the soil is not too wet, dry or frozen. Use Westland Rose Tree & Shrub compost with a slow-release, four-month feed for planting.

The new season’s roses are now available in the garden centre, with more than 50 varieties to choose from. Many of them are fragrant and some new varieties are multi-coloured, including “Rose for 2015”.

If you would like more information, or a demonstration on pruning roses, pop into the garden centre at any time.

John Shannon

Inver Garden Centre