Mastering rose care – expert tips for thriving, beautiful blooms

Roses are often the crown jewel of any garden, bursting with vibrant colours from soft pinks to fiery oranges, making them a showstopping addition to any landscape. However, their beauty comes at a price, requiring careful attention and maintenance to ensure they thrive throughout the season. With the right care techniques and tools, rose bushes can flourish, delivering stunning blooms year after year. Here, ladder expert Henchman shares its top tips for essential rose care for long-lasting blooms. 

Pruning 

Pruning is key to keeping roses healthy and encouraging development. While the best time to prune is typically late winter or early spring, just before the plant starts new growth, this can vary depending on the type of roses you're growing and when they were planted. For example, rambling roses can be pruned in the summer after they’ve flowered, though a winter trim during peak pruning season can help keep them tidy. Light pruning in summer also helps to shape the bush and promote even more blooms. 

Many gardeners prune their roses all year round, using slightly different techniques. A small, lighter prune in the summer can help prepare for a larger pruning job later in the year. You'll discover what works best for your roses as time goes on. The main thing to remember is to avoid pruning too frequently and to be cautious around new flowers or buds. Make sure to tick rose pruning off your to-do list before they start growing again. 

To start, deadhead the roses by removing spent flowerheads and surrounding leaves, placing the debris directly into a bucket, bin, or a heavy duty ground sheet. The ARS Professional Bypass Secateurs are perfect for this task, featuring ultra-sharp blades and an ergonomic handle ensuring clean cuts and comfort. As you prune, keep an eye out for common rose diseases like black spot and pests such as rose aphids. Remove any infected leaves or stems to prevent the spread of these issues. 

Next, focus on removing dead or damaged stems. Cut these back to healthy wood, making sure cuts are angled downwards to prevent water from pooling on the buds. For thicker branches, a pruning saw comes in handy. Its high-quality, tooth-edged blade handles larger stems effortlessly. 

Shaping and maintenance 

When shaping a rose bush, first tackle any stems that cross over in the centre to prevent congestion and improve airflow. The Professional Bypass Secateurs are excellent for this precise work, cutting away weaker stems and those that rub against each other. 

Next, remove any sucker canes – thorny stems growing from the rootstock that compete with the main plant for nutrients. To remove them, cut them back to the base, and if needed, move some soil to access the base. After cutting, seal the area with a pruning sealer to protect the plant. For particularly robust suckers, a pruning saw can assist.  

Cut away old, woody growth that appears weak, such as spindly stems, poor flowering, and wilted leaves. These stems typically lack the strength to support full blooms and should be removed. 

Finally, shape the rose bush according to its intended growth pattern. For an open shape, cut back any inward-growing stems. If the goal is to encourage upward growth, remove stems growing outward. The Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder is a great aid here, allowing easy access to high or awkward areas. Its stable platform and adjustable legs make it safe and comfortable to work at various heights and on any uneven terrain. 

Clearing up 

After pruning, dispose of the cuttings and debris responsibly. Use a heavy-duty ground sheet to collect the trimmings, preventing them from becoming a safety hazard on the ground or near the ladder. Do not add any diseased cuttings to the compost heap – instead, discard them separately to avoid contaminating your compost. Consider applying protective sprays to prevent disease and infestations next season. Add the healthy cuttings to a compost heap for use as mulch later in the year. Be sure to provide enough water and balanced fertilizer to support your vertical display’s recovery and growth. 

The right tools for the job 

Having the right tools makes all the difference when it comes to pruning and maintaining roses. For tall or climbing roses, a quality ladder is essential. The Henchman Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder is ideal for reaching high or awkward spots safely, with its three independently adjustable legs providing stability on uneven terrain without leaning on the plants. 

When it comes to pruning, a pair of bypass secateurs helps to make clean cuts, which can aid quicker healing. The ARS Professional Bypass Secateurs feature sharp, high-carbon steel blades and an ergonomic handle that minimises hand strain. For thicker branches or larger stems, a reliable pruning saw or lopper is necessary. The ARS UV-32E Pruning Saw is an excellent choice, designed to handle robust branches with its high-quality, tooth-edged blade. 

Investing in a good pair of leather gardening gloves will protect hands from scratches and prickly thorns, and wearing long sleeves can also help prevent clothing from catching on branches or thorns. 

To find out more about Henchman Ladders visit https://www.henchman.co.uk/. 

Ends

Editors notes

Henchman has been a pioneer of specialist garden ladders and safe hedge-cutting platforms since 1994, when it launched its first model at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Founded by father and son duo Mike and Tom Kitching, over the past three decades the company has evolved from a small family business to the leading garden ladder brand in the UK.

Based in Wiltshire, the dedicated design team at Henchman offers a wide range of unique products created to keep customers safe on uneven terrain while working at height.

Its collection includes the cutting-edge Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder, Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladder, the Hi-Step Platform, the Wheeled Henchman, as well as a range of large capacity wheelbarrows and accessories, all designed to make gardening a safe, sturdy and enjoyable experience.

Henchman has pioneered the way in ladder safety and is the first and only fully EN131 certified Tripod Ladder on the market in the UK and the rest of the world.

From the National Trust, to the England Rugby team and Royal Households, and not forgetting thousands of gardeners, DIY-enthusiasts and professionals, Henchman helps its customers get the job done, safely.