ROSES take pride of place in gardens all over the country, but helping them thrive isn’t always easy.
But don’t worry, gardening extraordinaire Monty Don has a shared a simple trick that will help them bloom for ages – and it’s totally free too.
Every month Monty lists the jobs that should be ticked off, and for June one of these jobs includes a simple helping roses last longer.
So, how do you do this?
“The secret of keeping any rose flowering as long as possible is to deadhead daily,” the pro explained.
Deadheading involves removing the finished blooms so new growth can thrive.
This will also help current blooms look more aesthetically pleasing by improving the shape of the plant.
Not only that, but removing spent flowers can aid in the prevention of certain diseases and pests.
That said, Monty urged gardeners to use secateurs to cut the stem rather than just pulling off spend petals.
You should cut the stem down to the next leaf or the next bud below it for the best results.
The gardening pro explained this will “provoke a side-shoot which in turn will carry more flowers.”
Although deadheading roses usually is a June job, it’s something you can and should continue to do well into July, he added.
“It is very important to keep deadheading roses in July as the petals fade to encourage repeat flowering, but some roses will have now finished all that they are going to do this year,” he said.
According to Monty, Britons should also prune flowering shrubs such as philadelphus, amelanchier, deutzia, weigela and rubus this month.
He said: “This will give the new growth plenty of time to ripen before winter and thus bear maximum flowers next spring.
“Mature shrubs should be pruned hard, cutting back most of the flowering stems to a healthy new shoot and taking the oldest growth right back to the base so it is completely renewed every three or four years.
“A very overgrown shrub should be renewed in this gradual manner too.”
After they have been pruned, they will need to be weeded, watered and mulched to take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, straight non-flowering pruned stems.”
Monty Don wrote: “Wisteria produces its flowers on new growth, which in turn emerges from spurs off the main shoots.
“When they have finished flowering – and for most of us that is around the middle of June – it is time to prune all this year’s new shoots back to a spur.
“Leave no more than six inches of growth. In the process, the whole plant can be tidied, trained and tied in so that there are no loose, trailing shoots.”
Monty recommended erring on the side of cutting too lightly, as this means in the New Year, when all of the foliage has died, it can be pruned again, reducing each side shoot to just two or three inches.
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month.
Stake out leggy perennials
With all the dramatic weather we’ve been having, it’s definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop.
Picking out the slugs and snails
Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them.
Pick elderflower heads
You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter.
Get on top of weeds
It’s around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing – or just the traditional ‘on your knees with a hand fork’. Try and avoid chemicals – remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place.
Up the mowing
You’ll need to mow your lawn weekly now – if you’ve got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them.
Check on your tomatoes
Your tomato plants will need attention – water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots.
Chelsea Chop
There’s still time for the Chelsea Chop – plants like Rudbeckia’s, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period.
Sort out your tulips
If you can be bothered and have space – lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring.
Deadheading your roses
Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves – which will ensure more flowers for longer.
Enjoy your space
Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space – it’s great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
