When should I prune roses in the UK?

Prune most bush roses (hybrid teas and floribundas) in late February to early March when growth buds begin to swell. Remove dead, diseased or crossing stems, then reduce remaining stems by about one-third to an outward-facing bud. Climbing roses are pruned after flowering in late summer, whilst rambling roses are pruned immediately after their summer flowering. Shrub roses need only light tidying in early spring.

Why are my rose leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves can indicate several issues: nutrient deficiency (particularly nitrogen or iron), waterlogging, drought stress, or blackspot disease. Check soil moisture, feed if not done recently, and inspect for disease spots. Yellow leaves with green veins suggest iron deficiency (chlorosis) in alkaline soils. The Loam app can help diagnose the specific cause by analysing photos of your plant and tracking its care history to identify patterns.

What should I feed roses and when?

Feed roses in early spring (March) with a balanced fertiliser or well-rotted manure to support new growth. Apply a second feed after the first flush of flowers (late June) to encourage repeat blooming. Use a rose-specific fertiliser high in potassium for better flowers, or a general-purpose feed. Avoid feeding after late August as this encourages soft growth vulnerable to frost damage. Container roses need feeding every two weeks during the growing season.

Rose

Rosa

Shrubs

Where to grow Outdoors

Watering: Weekly, more in dry spells
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained, fertile loam
Humans: Safe
Cats: Safe
Dogs: Safe
Height: 45–300 cm
Spread: 45–200 cm
Spacing: 45–120 cm apart
RHS recognition: Award of Garden Merit

About Rose

Roses are quintessentially British flowering shrubs beloved for their fragrant, showy blooms in colours ranging from white and pink to red, yellow, and apricot. Cultivated for centuries in UK gardens, roses have been bred into thousands of varieties including hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, and English roses. Their romantic appeal and long flowering season from June through to the first frosts make them indispensable in cottage gardens, formal beds, and mixed borders. Despite their reputation for being fussy, modern disease-resistant varieties thrive in the UK climate with straightforward care.

UK fact: The rose is England's national flower, and David Austin's English Roses—bred in Shropshire since the 1960s—combine the fragrance and form of old roses with the repeat-flowering habit of modern varieties, earning numerous RHS Awards of Garden Merit.

Watering Rose

Newly planted roses need regular watering for the first growing season to establish deep roots. Once established, water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep foliage dry and prevent fungal diseases. During typical UK summers, weekly watering is sufficient, but increase frequency during prolonged dry spells. Mulching helps retain moisture and reduces watering needs. Container-grown roses dry out quickly and may need daily watering in summer.

Sunlight requirements

Plant roses in the sunniest spot available, ideally with morning sun to dry dew from leaves and reduce fungal disease. South or west-facing positions are ideal in the UK. Roses tolerate light afternoon shade in southern England but flowering will be reduced. Avoid planting under trees or in deep shade where plants become leggy and prone to blackspot.

Soil and feeding

Prepare planting holes generously by incorporating well-rotted manure or garden compost to improve soil structure and fertility. Heavy clay soils benefit from added grit or sharp sand to improve drainage, whilst sandy soils need extra organic matter to retain moisture. Roses prefer a pH of 6.0–7.0; test your soil and add lime if too acidic or sulphur if too alkaline. Avoid waterlogged sites where roots may rot, and never plant new roses in soil where old roses have grown without replacing the soil to avoid rose replant disease.

Apply a proprietary rose fertiliser or fish, blood, and bone in March as growth begins, following packet instructions. Give a second feed in late June or early July after the first flowering to encourage repeat blooms. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds after August as soft new growth is vulnerable to frost damage. A spring mulch of well-rotted manure provides slow-release nutrients throughout the season.

Pruning Rose

Prune hybrid teas and floribundas in February or March, removing dead, diseased, or crossing stems and cutting back healthy stems to outward-facing buds 15–25 cm above ground. Shrub roses need lighter pruning—simply remove dead wood and shorten overlong stems by one-third. Climbing roses are pruned after flowering in late summer, tying in new growth horizontally to encourage flowering spurs. Deadhead spent blooms throughout summer to prolong flowering, cutting back to the first strong leaf with five leaflets.

Propagating Rose

Take hardwood cuttings from healthy, pencil-thick stems in October or November after leaf fall. Cuttings should be 20–25 cm long, cut just below a bud at the base and just above a bud at the top. Insert cuttings into a narrow trench in a sheltered spot outdoors, burying two-thirds of their length in well-drained soil mixed with sharp sand. Cuttings root slowly over winter and should be ready to transplant the following autumn. Budding onto rootstocks is the commercial method but requires more skill.

Common problems

Roses are susceptible to blackspot, a fungal disease causing dark spots on leaves, particularly in humid UK summers; choose resistant varieties and remove infected leaves promptly. Powdery mildew appears as white coating on leaves and buds, especially in dry conditions with poor air circulation. Aphids cluster on new growth and buds in spring, weakening plants and spreading viruses; squash by hand or spray with insecticidal soap. Rose sawfly larvae skeletonise leaves in early summer, whilst rose dieback causes stems to die back from the tips, requiring pruning back to healthy wood.

Spot a problem with your plant? Photograph the affected area using the Loam app and it will suggest the most likely cause and treatment.

Safety

Humans: Safe
Cats: Safe
Dogs: Safe

Toxicity information is for general guidance only.

Seasonal care calendar

Monthly care guide for Rose in the UK, based on average conditions.

Monthly care guide for Rose
Month	Care tasks
January	Check ties and stakes on climbing roses after winter gales. Order bare-root roses for planting next month.
February	Main pruning month for hybrid teas and floribundas. Plant bare-root roses whilst dormant. Apply mulch around established plants.
March	Complete pruning by mid-month. Apply rose fertiliser as growth begins. Plant container-grown roses. Watch for aphids on new shoots.
April	Water newly planted roses regularly. Mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Spray against blackspot if necessary.
May	Watch for aphids, sawfly, and early signs of blackspot. Water during dry spells. Enjoy early blooms on repeat-flowering varieties.
June	Peak flowering month. Deadhead regularly to prolong display. Water and feed after first flush. Continue pest and disease monitoring.
July	Apply second feed to encourage repeat flowering. Continue deadheading and watering. Prune rambling roses after flowering.
August	Continue deadheading and watering. Prune climbing roses after flowering, tying in new growth. Take semi-ripe cuttings if desired.
September	Reduce watering and stop feeding to harden growth before winter. Enjoy late flushes of bloom. Order bare-root roses for winter planting.
October	Take hardwood cuttings. Plant new bare-root roses from late month. Rake up and bin fallen leaves to reduce blackspot spores.
November	Continue planting bare-root roses. Tie in long stems on climbers to prevent wind rock. Clear remaining leaves and debris.
December	Plant bare-root roses in mild spells. Check stakes and ties. Plan next year's rose purchases from catalogues.

Frequently asked questions

When should I prune roses in the UK?: Prune most bush roses (hybrid teas and floribundas) in late February to early March when growth buds begin to swell. Remove dead, diseased or crossing stems, then reduce remaining stems by about one-third to an outward-facing bud. Climbing roses are pruned after flowering in late summer, whilst rambling roses are pruned immediately after their summer flowering. Shrub roses need only light tidying in early spring.
Why are my rose leaves turning yellow?: Yellowing leaves can indicate several issues: nutrient deficiency (particularly nitrogen or iron), waterlogging, drought stress, or blackspot disease. Check soil moisture, feed if not done recently, and inspect for disease spots. Yellow leaves with green veins suggest iron deficiency (chlorosis) in alkaline soils. The Loam app can help diagnose the specific cause by analysing photos of your plant and tracking its care history to identify patterns.
What should I feed roses and when?: Feed roses in early spring (March) with a balanced fertiliser or well-rotted manure to support new growth. Apply a second feed after the first flush of flowers (late June) to encourage repeat blooming. Use a rose-specific fertiliser high in potassium for better flowers, or a general-purpose feed. Avoid feeding after late August as this encourages soft growth vulnerable to frost damage. Container roses need feeding every two weeks during the growing season.

Got a question about growing Rose that isn't covered here? Ask the Garden Advisor in the Loam app. It knows your saved plants and local conditions.

This page was compiled with AI assistance and reviewed by our team. .