When it comes to pruning Kew Gardens roses, it is important to remove any dead or weak stems. This will help promote healthy growth and prevent any disease or pest issues. It is recommended to use sharp and clean pruning shears to make clean cuts and reduce the risk of spreading any infections.
In addition to removing dead or weak stems, Kew Gardens roses can also benefit from summer pruning. This involves cutting back the flowering stems after each flush of flowers has finished. By cutting back the stems to two or three sets of leaves, you can encourage new growth and potentially stimulate another round of blooms.
To begin pruning Kew Gardens roses, first, assess the overall health and structure of the plant. Look for any stems that are clearly dead or diseased. These should be pruned back to a healthy bud or branch junction. Make sure to cut at a slight angle, just above the bud, to promote outward growth.
Next, look for any weak or crossing branches. Weak branches are those that are thin and unlikely to support the weight of blooms. Crossing branches can rub against each other, causing damage and potential entry points for diseases. Remove these branches by cutting them back to a healthy bud or branch junction.
It is also important to remove any suckers that may be growing from the base of the plant. Suckers are shoots that originate from the rootstock and can drain energy and nutrients from the main plant. Simply cut these off as close to the base as possible.
When it comes to summer pruning, wait until the first flush of flowers has finished. Then, select the flowering stems that have finished blooming and cut them back to two or three sets of leaves. This will help redirect the plant’s energy towards new growth and potentially encourage another round of blooms later in the season.
In my personal experience with pruning Kew Gardens roses, I have found that regular maintenance pruning throughout the year helps keep the plants healthy and blooming. By removing dead or weak stems and summer-pruning to encourage new growth, I have seen significant improvements in the overall health and vigor of the roses.
Pruning Kew Gardens roses involves removing dead or weak stems and potentially summer-pruning after each flush of flowers. By following these pruning practices, you can help promote healthy growth, prevent disease, and potentially encourage multiple rounds of blooms throughout the season.
