Your roses may be fading, but the show is far from over. From deadheading to feeding, the first few days after your roses have finished flowering are crucial to ensure repeat blooms all summer.
If you're wondering what to do with your roses, keep reading for the three tasks to do now for a beautiful rose bush:
1. Deadhead spent blooms
Deadheading roses is a simple yet successful task to keep flowers coming back. It's free, takes a few minutes and will keep your roses blooming well into the autumn.
"After roses have flowered, you can deadhead the plants to redirect their energy back into root development and new bud formation," says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture.
If you have a repeat-flowering rose variety, these require consistent deadheading to ensure a continuous cycle of fresh flowers.
"Trace the main flower stem down until you reach the first strong leaf. Make a clean cut above this leaf node, angling the cut away from the bud so that rainwater runs off instead of pooling in the cut stem. Prune any tall, straggly stems back to the height of the main canopy to create a balanced structure within the plant."
2. Prune back
"Prune any diseased, damaged, or crossing stems to improve air circulation and regularly remove fallen petals and leaves from around the base of the plant," says David Denyer, Eflorist flower expert. "This will help minimise the risk of pests and diseases."
3. Don't forget to water
Keeping your roses hydrated is key, especially during spells of hot weather.
"When your roses have flowered in the hot summer months, they may need more water because higher temperatures and stronger sunlight cause faster evaporation," says Elise Harlock, floral expert at Prestige Flowers.
"In these conditions, daily watering might be necessary, but it's still important to water deeply rather than just sprinkling the surface. Mulching around the base of the plant can also help regulate soil moisture and keep roots cooler during heatwaves."
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Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
