Roses & Shrubs Care

Roses & Shrubs Care Guide

Roses and shrubs are the backbone of a beautiful garden, offering stunning colour, fragrance, and structure throughout the seasons. With the right care, they will reward you year after year.

🌱 Soil: Rich, well-drained
☀️ Sun: Full sun best
💧 Water: Deep, regular watering
🌿 Feed: Spring & summer feed
✂️ Prune: Annual pruning essential
🌸 Deadhead: Encourage more blooms
🌬️ Airflow: Prevent disease

🌱 Soil & Planting

  • Plant in rich, well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure
  • Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball
  • Plant bare-root roses between November and March; container-grown roses can be planted any time
  • Ensure the bud union (the swollen area at the base) is just below soil level for roses

☀️ Position

  • Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day
  • Avoid planting in areas prone to waterlogging or strong winds
  • Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases

💧 Watering

  • Water deeply at the base — avoid wetting the leaves to reduce risk of fungal issues
  • Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first year after planting
  • Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds

🌿 Feeding

  • Feed roses with a specialist rose fertiliser in spring and again after the first flush of flowers in midsummer
  • Apply a general slow-release fertiliser to shrubs in spring
  • Avoid feeding after late summer as this encourages soft growth vulnerable to frost

✂️ Pruning

  • Prune roses in late winter or early spring (February–March) when buds begin to swell
  • Cut to an outward-facing bud at a 45° angle to encourage an open shape
  • Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches
  • Deadhead spent blooms throughout summer to encourage repeat flowering
  • Prune shrubs after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth

🐛 Pests & Diseases

  • Watch for aphids, black spot, and powdery mildew
  • Treat with an appropriate rose spray or organic solution
  • Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent disease

🌸 Harvesting & Enjoyment

  • Cut roses early in the morning for the longest vase life
  • Cut stems at an angle and place immediately in water
  • Enjoy the fragrance and colour from late spring through to autumn