Rose pruning
■ After the year’s growth, wear and tear, roses can be pruned in autumn, the first of two cuts during the dormant season.
■ In October and November you should reduce bush roses by a third, and take out any dead, diseased and damaged growth, plus any that is crossing or congesting the centre.
■ This keeps plants neat, ventilates their centre and helps prevent their shallow roots from rocking and loosening during winter storms.
■ Climbers and ramblers should be thinned, and the oldest and least productive stems cut out at the base. Then tie the healthy young growth to its support.
■ Do not feed afterwards as you don’t want to trigger new growth at the start of the colder weather.
■ A second round of pruning takes place in late winter, when plants are hard pruned to encourage lots of strong new shoots in spring.