Roses: The Timeless Symbol of Love and Beauty

Prune your roses in late winter to early spring (February to March) when the plant is still dormant but showing signs of new growth. In areas with mild winters, pruning can be done earlier.

For repeat-flowering roses, light pruning can also be done in summer after the first bloom to encourage a second flowering.

This is how you prune roses: 

• Clean your tools: Use sharp, clean pruning shears to prevent disease.
• Remove deadwood: Cut out all dead, damaged, or diseased wood.
• Shape the plant: Cut stems back to about 1 cm above an outward-facing bud to encourage open growth.
• Thin the center: Remove weak and crossing branches to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
• Pruning by type:
  • Hybrid tea roses: Prune back to about 30-45 cm.
  • Shrub roses: Remove up to one-third of the oldest stems.
  • Climbing roses: Cut back side shoots to 2-3 buds and remove damaged canes.

This is how you fertilise your roses:

• Start fertilizing in early spring when new growth appears. Use a balanced rose fertilizer (10-10-10 or 5-10-5).
• Apply fertilizer again after the first bloom to support repeat flowering.
• Avoid late-season fertilizing: Stop fertilizing 6-8 weeks before the first frost to prevent tender growth that could be damaged by cold.

No, roses (Rosa species) are not toxic to cats. However, the thorns can cause injury, and ingestion of leaves or petals may cause mild stomach upset.

- Cut roses: With proper care, cut roses last 5-10 days in a vase.

- Garden roses: Depending on the variety and weather, rose blooms can last anywhere from 1-3 weeks on the plant. Repeat-flowering roses produce blooms multiple times through the season.

- Plant bare-root roses in late autumn to early spring.

- Container roses can be planted any time, but spring and autumn are best for root establishment.

This is how you tackle greenflies on your roses?

- Spray roses with a strong stream of water to dislodge greenflies.

- Use natural predators like ladybirds.

- Apply an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution to control infestations.

Black spots on your roses are most likely casued by a fungal disease called Diplocarpon rosae.

This is how you should treat it: 

- Remove and dispose of infected leaves.

- Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage.

- Use a fungicide like sulfur or copper spray regularly.

Roses can be propagated through:

- Cuttings: Growing new plants from stem cuttings.

- Layering: Bending stems to root while still attached to the parent plant.

- Grafting: Combining rootstock with a rose cutting.

-Take a 15-20 cm cutting from a healthy, non-flowering stem.

- Remove the lower leaves, keeping 2-3 at the top.

- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.

- Plant the cutting in moist soil or sand.

- Cover with a plastic bag or dome to retain humidity.

- Place in indirect light and keep the soil moist until roots develop.

Use sharp pruners to cut a 15-20 cm section of a healthy stem just below a leaf node. Remove lower leaves and buds. Follow the same steps as in propagation to encourage root growth.

Causes:

- Lack of water or heat stress.

- Air bubbles in the stems (cut roses).

- Disease or pests.

Solutions:

- Recut the stems under water at an angle and place them in fresh, cool water.

- For potted or garden roses, water deeply and check for pests or diseases.

This is how you press roses in 4 easy steps: 

- Remove excess leaves.

- Place the rose or petals between parchment paper.

- Press in a heavy book or flower press.

- Leave for 1-2 weeks until completely dry.

Drying roses is a beautiful way to preserve their colour and shape for decorative purposes or keepsakes. There are several methods to dry roses, each with its advantages. Poplar drying metods are air drying, silica gel drying, and drying in a vase.

Roses bloom from late spring to early autumn. Repeat-flowering varieties bloom multiple times throughout the season, while old garden roses bloom once in early summer.

Botanically speaking, roses have prickles, not thorns. Prickles sit on the surface of the stem and are easy to remove, while thorns are firmly embedded in the tissue.

Yes, but it’s not ideal. Uprooting roses during flowering stresses the plant. If necessary, transplant them carefully with as much root ball as possible and water thoroughly.

Water your roses deeply 1-2 times per week, depending on the weather and soil. Avoid superficial watering, as this can weaken the roots.

Strongly scented varieties include:

- Damask roses

- English roses (e.g. David Austin varieties such as ‘Gertrude Jekyll’)

- Old garden roses such as Bourbon roses, centifolia roses and moss roses.

No, roses are not toxic to dogs. However, the thorns may cause cuts, and eating large amounts may lead to digestive irritation.

For cut roses:

- Trim stems at an angle under running water.

- Use a clean vase filled with cool water and floral food.

- Remove any leaves below the waterline.

- Change the water every 2-3 days.

- Keep roses in a cool place away from sunlight, heat, or ripening fruit.

For garden roses:

Regular deadheading (removing spent flowers) extends the flowering period.