Warning issued to anyone with roses in their garden

An urgent warning has been issued to anyone with roses in their garden this December as the temperature plummets. Roses are a lovely addition to andy garden, but it can be tricky to know how to take care of them in different seasons. They are also not winter flowers so it's important to nurture and protect them during this time to ensure the best bloom, which typically occurs between late spring and early autumn.

The Harkness Rose Company has compiled a handy month-by-month guide to caring for roses, making it easy for gardners to know what they should do throughout the year. In December, it's typically a quiet period in terms of tending to roses as there is no pruning to be done . Instead, your attention should be turned to protecting them from the cold.



This can be done by placing a layer of straw or a graden fleece around the base of the roses to help insulate them. Mulch can also protect roses from frost and help the soil absorb moisture. However, once they're protected, you shouldn't just leave them alone .

Gardeners should check their roses haven't been attacked by pests or diseases throughout the month. While pruning is not necessary in December, it can be handy to remove wilting or browning flowers to encourage more blooms come spring. Potted roses should be moved to a sheltered place such an a garage due to the cold weather outside.

If it's particularly cold in your area, placing roses in a cardboard box packed with shredded newspaper and dry leaves offers extra protection. Pruning can start again when growth resumes in late winter , typically in mid-February in the south of the country and March in colder areas. When pruning roses, make sure to make clean cuts no more than 5mm above a bud in a downwards slope away from it.

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