Roses, prized possessions for many gardeners, offer a glorious display when in bloom. To extend their flowering season and improve their appearance, gardening guru Monty Don advises a daily task: deadheading. This involves removing finished blooms to encourage further blooms and maintain the rose’s shape. Don emphasizes the importance of using secateurs to cut the spent stem back to the next leaf or bud, as this stimulates the growth of side-shoots that will carry more flowers. Daily deadheading should continue throughout June and into July for repeat-flowering shrub roses and once-flowering shrub roses that do not produce hips. This practice promotes continuous blooming, prevents disease, and enhances the overall health and beauty of roses.
