In the mixed herbaceous borders of England’s country houses, roses are the heart of the summer display. Their seasonal care is a ritual passed down through generations of gardeners, and it remains as relevant today as it was in the Edwardian heyday of the walled garden. Whether you tend a heritage shrub rose or a repeat-flowering modern variety, the rhythm of pruning, feeding and mulching is the same. Here is a month-by-month guide to keep your rose border flourishing.
January and February: Pruning for Structure and Health
- January: On a mild, dry day, prune climbing roses. Remove old, tangled wood and tie in new stems horizontally to encourage flowering. For shrub roses, wait until late February if hard frosts are forecast. Clear fallen leaves and debris from around the base to reduce blackspot.
- February: Prune repeat-flowering shrub roses (including English roses) as buds begin to swell. Cut out dead, diseased or crossing stems. Shorten last year’s growth by about one third, cutting to an outward-facing bud. For once-flowering heritage roses, prune only lightly, removing old wood after flowering later. Feed with a handful of rose fertiliser or blood, fish and bone per plant, gently forked into the soil. Mulch immediately with 5–7cm of well-rotted manure, leaving a gap around the stem.
March and April: Spring Growth and First Feed
- March: As new shoots appear, watch for aphids. A strong jet of water or a squirt of soapy water will suffice. Apply a second dose of rose feed if your soil is poor. Mulch again if the winter mulch has thinned. In mixed borders, ensure herbaceous perennials are not smothering young rose shoots – thin them if necessary.
- April: Water newly planted roses in dry spells. For established roses, a deep soak once a week is better than light sprinkling. Continue to tie in climbers. Check for signs of rose dieback and prune back to healthy wood. If you garden in a cold area, keep a fleece handy for late frosts.
May and June: The First Flush and Deadheading
- May: Buds form – switch to a high-potash liquid rose feed every fortnight. Water well before feeding. Watch for blackspot and rust; remove affected leaves immediately. In traditional borders, allow companion plants like geraniums and nepeta to weave through, but keep them from flopping over rose blooms.
- June: The first flush arrives. Deadhead repeat-flowering roses as blooms fade, cutting back to a strong outward-facing bud or a five-leaflet leaf. For once-flowering heritage roses, enjoy the display and only tidy wayward shoots. Do not deadhead these if you want hips for autumn colour. Continue liquid feeding.
July and August: Keeping the Display Going
- July: Deadhead daily if you can – it makes all the difference. After the first flush, give a handful of rose fertiliser or a liquid feed to encourage a second wave. Mulch lightly with compost to conserve moisture. Watch for sawfly larvae on leaves and remove them by hand.
- August: Continue deadheading and feeding until late August. Stop feeding at the end of the month so new growth can harden before winter. Prune rambling roses now, after flowering, if they have outgrown their space – tie in new canes and cut out old ones.
September and October: Autumn Care and Mulch
- September: Reduce watering as growth slows. Pick up fallen leaves to prevent disease. For repeat-flowering roses, a final deadhead will tidy the border. Do not feed. For shrub roses, remove any long, whippy shoots that spoil the shape.
- October: The ideal month for planting bare-root roses, but for existing borders, apply a generous mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost, 5–7cm deep. This protects roots, suppresses weeds and feeds soil organisms. Lightly prune climbing roses if they need tying in before winter winds.
November and December: Rest and Protection
- November: After leaf fall, clean up all debris. Check ties and supports on climbers. In cold gardens, mound soil or compost around the base of tender roses, though most English roses are hardy. Avoid pruning now unless removing damaged wood.
- December: A quiet month. Use it to plan next year’s pruning and order mulches. On mild days, you can prune climbing roses if not done in January, but leave shrub roses until late winter. Sharpen your secateurs and clean them with methylated spirits to prevent disease spread.
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