READER’S QUESTION

OUR pink climbing rose ‘Compassion’ flowers profusely each June. Secondary blooms usually follow — but this year all we have are clusters of large hips. How can I make it flower again this summer? Mr I. Crawford. ‘Compassion’ is usually a reliable repeater but drought could have prevented secondary flowering so far this year. if you’ve had recent heavy rain, that will stimulate new growth. But you can help it more with summer pruning. Remove the hips, cutting each stem well below the fruit cluster. snip each of them just above an outward-facing leaf or bud. Do not prune too hard or cut through main stems (only do that in winter). a liquid feed with seaweed extract or tomato fertiliser could also encourage late flowering. and if drought returns, ensure you water the roots copiously.