Getting Your Roses Ready

Planting, pruning and feeding are all done now, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

Where many plants drift in and out of fashion, there is one that seems to stay top of the pops: the rose. Whether they are shrubby, climbing, rambling or potted, their popularity never wanes.

If you have roses in your garden, now is the time to start work to help them perform their best this summer.

For despite their popularity, roses can be tricky plants to grow well, liking lots of nurturing while being prone to a range of pests and problems. However, with a strong start to the year and continued care throughout, they should stay healthy and put on a wonderful show all summer and well into the autumn.

Plant health starts at ground level, with the soil. Rose roots run shallow, so take care when weeding to avoid damaging them as this can lead to suckers, growth from the rootstock below the graft node. If you see suckers developing (they are paler and appear slightly away from the main plant), pull them off at the ground. Never cut them as this will encourage regrowth.