Q&A - Roses

Our Q & A's on roses will help you answer your gardening queries on growing and caring for roses.

If you have a question you would like an answer to why not email us at questions@plantconnection.co.uk

Q. What is the best way to take a stem cutting from a rose?

A. It is not easy to root rose cuttings. Commercially they are what we term budded onto a specially selected rootstock. If you want to try taking cuttings however it works best on species types only, as modern roses if they do grow tend to be weak. Take 25-30cm long cuttings with a small heal where a side branch joins the main stem during August/September. Strip off all but 3 top leaves and remove any buds in the leaf axils. Dip the base of the cutting in rooting hormone and insert the bottom 15-25cm into a deep pot of soil based compost. Firm in and water and place in sheltered spot.

Q. When should I prune my old English shrub rose? It has large red hips, which I want to retain through winter.

A. Shrub roses need very little pruning. The best time to prune is late winter and early spring when any soft tips can be removed along with straggly or weak growths, which are cut off at a main stem. You can also prune to maintain the shape of the bush too.

Q. Is there anything that can go on rose boarders to limit or prevent weeds growing during the summer months, we have a large number of roses and it takes up most of are time keeping the borders up together.

A. There are a number of things you can do to reduce weeding.

Groundcover - plant dense-growing plants close together which will cut out light and smother any weeds that do try and grow.

Gravel - a 5cm (2") layer of coarse gravel around your plants will help stop weeds growing.

Chipped bark, well rotted manure or compost - use in the same way as gravel with the added benefit that it will eventually rot and be taken into the soil by beneficial creatures where it helps the soil structure and fertility. It will however need adding to every two or three years.

Fabrics - A range of fabrics are now available that allow water through but stop weeds growing up. They look best when covered with a mulch of chipped bark though.

Black polythene - Best used on uncultivated ground. Old carpet has a similar effect.

I prefer the first of these as it extends the season of colour you get and adds so much more interest to the roses. Hardy Geraniums, Nepeta and Alchemilla mollis are some of my favourite groundcover plants under which I plant spring flowering bulbs. I also mulch with well-rotted manure as this feeds the plants and keeps weeds out of any small gaps.

Q. When is it the best time to prune roses, I have a rose bed planted only 2 years ago and they have not been pruned so they are looking a little untidy any clues as to what I should be doing?

A. With the exception of ramblers, most roses can be pruned when growth is just starting, usually February. As your roses are only 2 years old you can prune them back hard. For the thicker stems cut down to 4-6 buds from the bottom. Thinner stems you can go down to 2-3 buds from the bottom.

Use sharp secateurs and cut at an angle. Around 5mm above the bud, with the higher angle on the bud side of the stem. Cut out any dead, diseased, very spindly and crossing stems. Aim for well spaced stems that allow good airflow.

They will also benefit from a good mulch ready for the spring of bulky compost or well rotted manure.