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Roald Dahl Ausowlish Rose bush in full flower

Roses – flowers of the month | A Care Guide

Rose care in June

The flower of the month

Olivia Rose Austin, roses in full flower

Olivia Rose Austin

Roses take centre stage in June; they are even the birth month flower. We have an enormous selection of beautifully flowering roses in our garden centre.

June is the prime time to sort out your roses to ensure your rose display looks tip top this summer!

A Care Guide

Here are a few crucial steps to take towards healthy and flourishing roses;

  • – Watch out for black spot if you see that your roses have black spots then prune out the affected areas and be sure to burn them rather than putting them into the compost. However, be warned that this may not solve the problem, as it the fungi can be spread by the wind etc. If the black spot is persistent then you may need a fungicide. Ask in store for the best way to use these.

Black spot is; a fungal disease that infects the leaves of rose plants. It can be identified by signature ‘black spots’ on the leaves. Sadly black spot is more prevalent in areas with good air quality so it is one of the downsides of growing roses in Devon.

  • – Look out for aphids. The solution for these pests depends on the size of the population. If it seems to be a small population then simply squishing the aphids will suffice. However if you appear to have a lot then you will need to spray. Be cautious not to spray onto the flowers and always read directions on the back of the packet. An alternative is to wash aphids of the plant with a soapy water solution.
  • – Dead head rose plants with large or clustered flowers that have finished flowering and will flower again. This is great as it encourages a second growth of flowers in July and August. The best way to deadhead roses is to pinch the head off just below the flower, this speeds up re-growth of flowers! – Don’t deadhead roses if you want to have their fruits – otherwise known as ‘hips’. This also applies to roses with only one flush of roses; there is no need to deadhead them as the hips will be attractive in your garden in winter.
  • – Get rid of gallicas or any other suckers. To do this, simply snip the sucker shoot off at the main stem.
  • – Feed roses with potassium rich foods such as tomato feed- we recommend Tomorite. Another great idea is using banana skins- simply lay them around the plant and cover with soil.
  • – Try under planting your roses to hide bare stems and create an attractive backdrop. A really great plant to use is lavender to add an aromatic and colourful element.
  • – Consider adding in a new growth of climbers or ramblers side on to promote more flowering on side shoots.
  • – Water your roses regularly. As long as you have well draining soil then there is a minimal risk of overwatering.
  • – Wash down roses at least a couple of times a week to avoid spider mites.

Visit our garden centre for all your roses, rose feed and treatments.

The Flower Garden in June

June is a wonderful time for enjoying the beauty of our gardens, with flowers blooming brightly but the mixture of rain and sunshine makes everything flourish at once and quite easily the garden can become a jungle. Here’s a few considerations for the flower garden in June:

  1. Thin direct sowings of hardy annuals (plants that only last a year).
  2. Remove blanket weed from ponds by twisting it around a stick (like candy floss). Leave the weed at the side of the pond so it allows any wildlife to crawl back into the pond.
  3. Keep your flowering tubs and hanging baskets watered. Remember that strong winds can be just as drying as hot sunshine.
  4. Protect delphiniums, lilies and hosts from slugs and snails. There are many slug controls that we sell: traditional pellets, organic pellets, slug wool (a natural deterrent), nematodes (natural deterrent) plus gels and other products.
  5. Take softwood cuttings of deciduous (plants that lose their leaves) shrubs like Caryopteris, Spiraea and Buddleja.
  6. Add lawn clippings to your composter in small amounts, mix with drier material to avoid a soggy mess.
  7. Liquid feed your containerised plants. You can buy ready mixed feed or concentrate for you to mix in a watering can. Always read the label.
  8. Divide bearded irises after flowering. Replant sections that have at least two fans of leaves attached.
  9. Stake tall plants like Delphiniums and larger lilies.
  10. Trim topiary like Buxus (box).
  11. Sow winter flowering pansies and ornamental cabbages.
  12. Tie in shoots of climbing and rambling roses as horizontally as possible to encourage better flowering.

For further advice, our garden centre staff are always pleased to help.