Monty Don shares 'simple' 10-minute gardening hack for beautiful roses

Photo shows gardening expert Monty Don
-Credit: (Image: BBC/Gardeners' World)


Monty Don has advised gardening enthusiasts that September is a crucial time to prune roses to ensure they flourish with blooms next year.

In the ideal window of September, Monty Don from BBC's Gardeners' World recommends gardeners to trim their rose bushes for robust health and more abundant flowers. The task is simpler in September where minimal pruning preps the roses for the upcoming cold months.

"I know that some gardeners are anxious about pruning roses but the many shrub varieties such as the gallicas, 'English' roses, albas or hybrid perpetuals are best simply trimmed with shears any time this month," he explained on his website. For optimal maintenance, he suggests cutting back about one third: "Do not worry about the position or angle of the cuts but clip away all long, straggly shoots as though you were trimming a hedge, leaving a compact, slightly domed bush that is about two-thirds of its former size."

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Why is September an ideal time for pruning roses?

While the traditional time for a rigorous pruning of roses is during the spring, experts suggest that a lighter prune at this stage of the year can actually benefit the plants. A September trim can help alleviate plant stress and encourage strong growth when the next season rolls around, reports the Mirror.

By removing faded flowers now, the rose doesn't waste energy on parts that are no longer flourishing and instead focuses on root strength to see it through the winter months. As the autumn begins, and with the blooming period drawing to a close, it's an optimal moment for rose bushes to prepare for dormancy ahead of their spring revival.

Photo shows a pink rose in a summer garden.
A pink rose in a summer garden. -Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto

Gardening expert Monty has offered essential guidance: "In March, when you can see clearly without any foliage, you can inspect the shrub to remove any damaged or rubbing stems, but a simple shear in September is enough to keep it healthy and packed with flowers next year."

How to do a September prune

For most rose plants, quick pruning sessions of 10 to 20 minutes are enough at this time of the year. According to the Express, your pruning toolkit should include sharp shears and protective gardening gloves to avoid any prickly incidents.

Start by deadheading: remove wilted roses but leave the green leaves untouched. Trim back overly long canes to maintain the shape of the rose and prevent any top-heaviness that could cause damage in windy weather.

Remove any wilting or damaged wood and lightly thin out the bush if it seems too dense; this promotes better airflow. Finish your pruning session by clearing all cut debris from the area to keep pests away and prevent fungal diseases, particularly if the trimmings become wet.

A little maintenance now ensures roses remain beautiful through autumn and emerge strong and flowering after winter's cold.