Seasonal Rose Care made Simple The Autumn Ritual for your Roses

My Autumn Ritual, Taming the Roses, 
I love tending to my roses, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of gardening. When they start looking wind-whipped and unruly, I know it’s time to step in and tidy them up, as I don't want them to get damaged in winter gales. It's a job worth doing well. 

A Quick Autumn Tidy for the Shrub Roses,
With the autumn winds arriving, I can never leave my shrub roses to struggle. I’ve trimmed them lightly, just enough to shorten the stems and encourage growth. It’s amazing how even a gentle tidy can make them look so much more cared for, and restore their poise.

My last job is to clear the fallen debris and leaves around the roots, as these may be diseased with fungal black spot. I also remove all affected leaves and fallen debris from the plant and the ground to prevent reinfection. I then treat the plant with a spray or fungicide, and apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to help stop spores from splashing back up. 

          Standard Rose is well trained and ready for its tidy up! 

It’s easy to overlook, but disinfecting your pruning shears and garden tools is a vital step in preventing the spread of fungal diseases, like black spot. A quick wipe with methylated spirits or a suitable disinfectant after each use helps stop infections from jumping from one plant to another. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference.

Ruthless Romance in Winter, Pruning the Climbers
My climbing roses are a different story altogether. They face their full, unapologetic pruning in mid to late winter, a task that demands my complete focus. I can’t bear to leave a climber half pruned; it feels unfinished and frustrating every time I walk past or look out of my window. I’m not shy about tackling the gnarly old stems either. It’s all for the greater good, making space for fresh growth and encouraging plenty of lateral shoots, which means more glorious blooms. I bend the stems down and tie them in carefully, always holding my breath, because when one snaps, it’s heartbreak every time.

Climbing Rosa in full bloom over an Abinger Arch in June, which is going to need attention late winter

Planting up the Root Ball Roses
Whilst container grown roses are available all year round, bare root roses offer the best selection and value, especially during the dormant season from late autumn to early spring. Planting bare root roses allows them to settle in and establish themselves before the growing season begins. With a little care, you will be rewarded with beautiful blooms by the following summer. When planting, I dig a generous hole, wide enough to accommodate the root ball without cramping it. I loosen the soil at the base, add a little well-rotted compost, and position the rose so the graft union sits just above soil level. If the wrapping is biodegradable, I leave it in place, otherwise, I gently remove it before planting.

Bare root roses are a delight to work with and a wonderful way to bring lasting beauty to your garden. Have you planted yours yet this season?

If garden space is limited, don’t worry, bare-root roses thrive beautifully in large containers or planters. It’s a brilliant solution for patios, balconies, or small courtyards. Choose a pot with at least 50cm depth (60 litres) to give the roots room to establish, and make sure it has good drainage to prevent waterlogging. 

Use a high-quality loam-based compost and consider adding some well rotted manure or rose-specific fertiliser to give your plant the best start. Position the rose so the graft union sits just above the soil line, water thoroughly, and finish with a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
With the right care, your container-grown roses will reward you with healthy growth and beautiful blooms, even in the smallest of spaces.

Supporting Structure: Beauty Held in Place, The Art of Garden Frameworks
Our elegant Lobster Pots are the perfect support for shrub roses, small clematis, and herbaceous clumps like Baptisia australis. One of my favourite combinations is Rose “Gertrude Jekyll” with Clematis “The President” climbing over our Rose Cages, a blend of ornamental charm and functional framework.

David Austin Rosa in Lobster Pot

Try combining different heights for an eye-catching display. Our Rose & Clematis Cages, Obelisks Collection, Lobster Pots, and Arches add height, structure, and interest to beds and borders. They’re also brilliant for zoning areas, creating walkways, and framing views.

Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' bursting out of a Clematis & Rose Cage

And let’s not forget the humble trellis, a timeless favourite for training climbers, dividing spaces, or adding a decorative flourish to walls and fences. Whether you’re supporting roses, clematis, or herbaceous companions, these structures offer both beauty and purpose. Consider adding stakes or supports once the plant begins to establish. While young roses may not need immediate support, as they grow and produce heavier blooms, a stake or small cage can help keep them upright and prevent wind damage

Rosa 'Bobby James' training well on a Open Trellis support

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