June is the peak of rose season, the month when roses are in full bloom and looking their most fabulous. And while it’s tempting to sit back and just enjoy them, knowing what to do with roses in June and you can help extend their flowering season and keep those blooms in abundance for longer.
While learning how to grow roses is all about putting in the effort at planting time in autumn or knowing when to hard prune roses in winter or early spring, in June it’s more about general maintenance to ensure your roses’ longevity and set them up for the following year’s performance… and putting in the effort this month can really pay off.
So if you’re unsure what you should be doing with your roses in June to get the best out of your blooms, follow this checklist of the key tasks needed.
1. Deadhead consistently
The June task that is essential for roses, according to Monty Don, is disciplined deadheading. ‘Do this, and you’ll extend the flowering season by stimulating fresh side shoots which will bear new flower buds,’ says Monty.
Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, agrees: ‘June is really about keeping roses in good shape to encourage more flowers. And by deadheading repeat-flowering types regularly, it will help keep them producing.’
‘You don’t need any special tools or training to deadhead roses,’ adds Julian. ‘The key is to remove the whole flower head, not just the petals – as leaving the base behind still allows seed development to begin, which is exactly what you’re trying to prevent.’
‘For plants with tougher or woodier stems, like roses and dahlias, it’s always worth using a clean pair of secateurs. Cut at a slight angle just above a leaf joint or an outward-facing bud. This encourages the plant to grow outwards rather than inwards, which is better for air circulation and overall shape.’
‘Deadheading works best when you do it regularly during peak growing season rather than an occasional blitz. The more consistently you do it, the longer and more generously your plants will flower.’
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2. Keep roses well hydrated
‘In June, roses should be in full bloom, so apart from removing any spent flowers, there’s usually no need for pruning unless you spot signs of disease,’ says Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express. ‘But with the rising temperatures, roses will benefit from good hydration, so regular watering during dry spells is a must to help keep blooms vibrant and healthy.’
Don’t make the watering mistake of watering during the hottest part of the day. Instead, water early on in the day if you can, to allow the plant’s roots to absorb moisture before the heat evaporates it. Aim the water directly onto the soil around the base of the plant so that it reaches the roots. And avoid the foliage and flowers as water droplets can magnify the heat from the sun and dry out leaves.
3. Apply mulch to conserve moisture
‘June is one of those months where a little bit of regular care makes a big difference when it comes to roses,’ says Julian. ‘Giving roses a good watering in dry spells will help them keep producing, and applying a layer of mulch, like this Strulch Organic Garden Straw Mulch, £17.50 at Amazon, around the base of your rose plants will help to hold moisture, which is especially useful once the weather warms up.’
Aside from aiding moisture retention, mulching also helps to suppress weeds, which will be in competition for water and nutrients.
‘A layer of compost or mulch spread around the base of the plant, but not touching the stem, helps the soil stay moist and cool during dry spells,’ adds Julian. ‘It takes five minutes, whether it’s a rose in a flower bed or a container rose, and makes a noticeable difference through a hot summer, protecting your rose but still allowing it to do its thing in your garden.’
4. Give roses a summer feed
‘If you haven’t fed your roses since their spring blooms, now is also a great time to apply rose fertiliser,’ advises Chris. ‘Feeding roses in June will help to encourage more flowering throughout the summer and keep your plants looking lush and full of colour.’
‘Roses are hungry plants, and they’ll reward you for feeding them well throughout the season,’ advises Julian. ‘Slow-release granules like these Miracle-Gro Feed Granules, £6.50 at B&Q, work well and should be applied at planting, in June and again in August to keep them going. Top that up with a liquid rose feed every couple of weeks through the flowering season and you’ll notice the difference and get abundant blooms.’
‘Always water your plants before you feed them,’ advises Julian. ‘Dry soil is poor at absorbing nutrients, and there’s a risk of scorching roots if you apply feed to parched ground. Once the soil is moist, apply liquid feed directly around the base of the plant, not over the leaves, which can cause brown patches, and dilute according to the instructions on the bottle.’
5. Monitor for pests and diseases
‘June is also a good time to keep an eye out for pests like aphids, as well as diseases like black spot,’ says Julian. ‘Roses can go downhill pretty quickly if you leave problems alone.’
Black spot is one of the most common rose problems and is caused by a fungus. Round purple or black spots form on lower or older leaves, and the leaf then starts to yellow around the spots before falling off. To combat, remove any infected leaves and prune the plant to keep the centres open, making sure to clean away any fallen debris underneath. Using a remedy like this, Sulphur rose and fungicide spray, £12.99, Thompson & Morgan, can help to prevent and stop the spread.
‘During June, roses can also fall victim to pests like aphids and sawfly larvae, so it’s worth keeping an eye on them to make sure they don’t spoil your display,’ adds Chris. ‘Aphids tend to cluster around new shoots, while sawfly larvae look a bit like caterpillars and can quickly munch through leaves.’
‘To keep pests under control, try using natural sprays and regularly check plants for larvae. To get rid of aphids, they can often be removed by spraying them off with a jet of water or simply picking them off by hand,’ adds Chris.
Are your roses looking fabulous right now? Share your favourite rose care tips and tricks with us.
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