Roses will be ‘packed with flowers’ if gardeners do an easy 10-minute task in September

Gardeners might think their work is winding down with the cooler weather, but a top tip from Monty Don, the face of Gardeners' World, suggests otherwise. He advises that a simple snip to rose bushes can lead to more bountiful and larger blooms.

According to Monty, September is the ideal time for a light trim on roses , which is far less labor-intensive than other times of the year, setting them up nicely for the colder months ahead. On his website, Monty explains: "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 further instructs, "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", reports the Express .

So why is September the month to prune your roses?

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While roses typically undergo a significant pruning in the spring, a gentle trim now can alleviate stress on the plant, promoting robust growth for the following year.

Pruning in September is beneficial because it allows the plant to conserve energy by shedding dying flowers, focusing instead on fortifying its roots for winter survival rather than expending effort on unnecessary growth.

Roses are gearing up for their next blooming season, foregoing flowers now to ensure a healthier and more bountiful bloom when they wake from dormancy in the spring.

Monty shared: "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."

Pruning roses in September can be wrapped up swiftly, usually taking just 10 to 20 minutes based on the bush's size.

Arm yourself with sharp shears and gardening gloves to fend off those prickly thorns. Kick things off by deadheading snip away wilted blooms but leave those luscious green leaves be.

Then trim the long canes to maintain the rose's silhouette and prevent damage from blustery conditions. Ax any dying or injured wood, and if your rose looks like it's bursting at the seams, thin out some of the smaller canes to promote airflow.

After you've pruned, don't forget to clean up the debris to steer clear of pests and fungal villains, especially if things get moist.

This bit of quick and savvy trimming will keep your roses in tip-top health through fall and prime them for whatever winter throws their way, resulting in flourishing blossoms come springtime.