How to Keep Roses Blooming All Summer Long

Roses are the perfect picture of elegance and tranquillity, symbolising love, beauty, and friendship. They can instantly brighten any garden and make the perfect feature piece. Many gardeners dream of roses that bloom endlessly throughout summer, filling their gardens with vibrant colour.

But if you have ever grown roses, you know that they can be picky when it comes to their blooming times. Thankfully, encouraging blooms all summer long is as simple as understanding your plants and giving them the right care, and this guide by gardening expert Harry Bodell at PriceYourJob.co.uk is here to help!

Choose the Right Location

The first thing to consider when planting your roses is selecting the right location for optimum growth. To get them off to a good start, choose an area that has well-draining soil and receives plenty of sunlight.

Roses crave sunlight, so they should be planted in a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day – shadier sites may hinder the number of blooms. Avoid ground that can easily become flooded and instead find a site with good drainage in order to keep the roots dry and avoid root rot.

Mulch the Ground

To keep your roses blooming all summer long, you are going to want to ensure that the soil is protected to keep roots in the best shape possible. Mulching is a great way to do this as it helps to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Layer the soil around your roses with organic mulch such as bark chips or compost. For further protection, a great hack is to place a few layers of newspaper underneath. In doing this, you are not only helping your roses bloom but also helping the environment by recycling paper!

Water Regularly

Roses are heavy drinkers, so it is important to keep to a regular watering schedule. They are one of the most nutrient and water-intensive garden plants, so the more water you provide, the more blooms you can expect.

In the warm summer months, roses should be watered at least every day, or daily during a particularly hot and dry spell. A deeper watering once a week is also essential, ideally with a hose pipe if possible. This will deliver water directly to the roots without wasting any.

Add Fertiliser

In order to thrive, roses need plenty of rich nutrients, so a good quality, balanced fertiliser that is high in phosphorus is key for bountiful blooms. Spring is the perfect time to fertilise roses, just as they are starting to push out their new leaves for the season.

After the first spring bloom, another round of fertiliser can be added to the base ready for the next bloom cycle. This can be repeated after every cycle up until Autumn to keep your roses blooming all summer. Banana peels are another great feed as they are rich in potassium, just chop them up and bury them around the base of your rose bushes.

Deadhead Spent Blooms

Deadheading and removing spent flowers is a simple but highly effective way of keeping your roses blooming beautifully throughout the season. Regular deadheading will prevent your plants from putting energy into seed production, instead encouraging them to produce more flowers.

This practice is particularly important in mid-summer, when repeat-flowering varieties can be coaxed into multiple blooms. For best results, snip spent blooms just above the first leaf every few days.

Keep on Top of Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases can seriously limit your rose’s potential for blooming. It is therefore important to inspect your rose leaves frequently and treat any issues straight away with the appropriate methods. This will ensure that your plant can focus its energy on blooms rather than recovery and prevent the problem from spreading to any nearby bushes.

Roses are susceptible to diseases such as black spot, which will need to be immediately dealt with by removing the affected leaves and applying fungicide. They can also attract pests such as aphids and mites, which can quickly spoil their beauty. A cheap and easy solution to this is to mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with water in a spray bottle and spray directly onto the leaves.

Companion Planting

Just like us humans, sometimes roses need a friend! Planting companions such as marigolds and lavender near your rose bushes can deter pests and enhance their growth. Finding plants that thrive in the same conditions as roses and are beneficial will be a big help in encouraging more blooms.

Wind Protection

Strong winds can do some serious damage to your roses, but can be conquered with a little careful planning. Adding a windbreak or barrier will shield your roses, preventing damage and reducing stress during any storm. This will allow them to stay stronger, taller, and keep blooming.

Keep Good Circulation

Air circulation is incredibly important when it comes to keeping your roses healthy. Proper spacing will allow your plants to breathe and reduce the risk of disease. Prepare to see your beautiful roses in full bloom, gently swaying in the breeze!

Final Thoughts

Maintaining vibrant, continuous rose blooms all summer takes a mix of smart planting, regular care, and observation. Pick the right spot, keep the soil rich, water and fertilise consistently, and prune wisely. Watch out for pests and diseases and use the appropriate remedies when needed. With patience and effort, your garden can be a non-stop show of roses in full colour.

With patience and effort, you can see a season full of stunning non-stop blooms from your roses. Happy gardening!

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