IF the conditions are right, your roses still have weeks of flowering left, so it is important that they get some simple late-summer care.
Many roses will continue blooming until well into November, though maybe not as well as in the summer,so deadhead them regularly to keep the colour coming.
The exception are rambling roses that only have one burst of blooms in midsummer, then produce their glowing hips for winter colour and interest.
Ramblers can be given a light prune now, to remove spent flowers (unless you want the hips) and reduce wayward stems that are growing out of place.
Cut back the flowered stems and tie them horizontally to their supports, as this will encourage tidy growth and generous flowering next summer.
If your rambler is very old and woody and overgrown, wait until winter to prune it, removing the oldest stems from the base to make room for new growth.
This story is from the August 19, 2023 edition of Amateur Gardening.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 19, 2023 edition of Amateur Gardening.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters