Autumn has well and truly arrived, and many gardeners may be considering putting away their shears until the new year — yet there is one crucial task that could help roses flourish magnificently if carried out soon. Monty Don, the much-loved gardener best known for fronting Gardener’s World, has revealed that October is the ideal time to cut back any climbing roses growing on fences throughout your garden.
On his website, Monty said: “Climbing roses flower on shoots grown the same spring so they can be pruned hard now. Rambling roses on the other hand produce their flowers on shoots grown the previous summer so should only be pruned immediately after flowering.”
Why prune climbing roses in October?
Pruning climbing roses may appear to be an intimidating job, but it needn’t be complicated — and if carried out during October, it can help these stunning flowers grow back even more impressively next year.
When climbing roses are correctly pruned, the plant expends less energy on dying blooms and conserves its strength, making it far more likely to produce more vigorous flowers during its next growing season.
Taking the time to prune now will also eliminate any withering or damaged stems, which can deter pests and lower the risk of numerous fungal diseases that are prevalent during autumn.
It can equally prevent climbing roses from becoming knotted and difficult to manage over winter, saving you considerable effort when attempting to cut them back the following year.
How to prune climbing roses in October
Begin by removing any stems that appear damaged or those that are crossing one another, as these risk becoming overgrown in the future. If the stems reveal a green interior when cut, this indicates healthy growth and should be left untouched.
Ensure you remove any weak or spindly stems that are unlikely to support large blooms. Next, shape the plant to encourage adequate air circulation and allow sunlight to penetrate every part of it.
Monty said: “The main stems should be fanned out at an equidistance as horizontally as possible, tying them to wires or a trellis.
“Then all the side shoots growing from these main stems – which produced this year’s flowers – can be reduced to a short stub of a couple of leaves.
“The effect should be a tracery of largely horizontal growth with pruned side-shoots running along their length. Finally make sure it is all tied firmly in to avoid winter damage.”
Once pruning is complete, clear away any fallen leaves or stems, as decaying foliage can draw pests into your garden.
The task should take approximately 15 to 30 minutes, though this may vary depending on the size of the plant.
Nevertheless, this straightforward job will help your climbing roses weather the winter and reward you with larger, healthier blooms in the new year.