June is the pinnacle of the rose flowering season, with these blooms adorning gardens across the country. Roses, whether climbing up walls and trellises or thriving in borders and pots, epitomize the quintessential English country garden and remain a beloved choice among gardeners. Their unparalleled beauty and fragrance make them a standout, but they are also prone to pests and diseases. Proper care is essential to ensure they flourish through the summer months.
Common Rose Problems and Solutions
Aphids: These tiny insects are a common issue, often clustering on new leaves and rosebuds. While they are a natural part of the garden ecosystem and a food source for ladybirds, they can damage plants by feeding on sap and excreting honeydew, which leads to black mould. Although aphids rarely cause severe harm, controlling their numbers is advisable. Simple solutions include wiping them off by hand, gently hosing them away, or using a homemade mixture of water and liquid detergent sprayed directly on affected areas.
Deadheading: Removing spent flowers is crucial during summer. This practice encourages the plant to produce more blooms instead of developing rose hips. Once petals begin to brown, trim the flower and stem, cutting just above a leaflet. However, for species roses like Rosa rugosa and Rosa canina, which produce ornamental rose hips in autumn, deadheading should be avoided.
Black Spot: This fungal disease is a frequent problem for roses, manifesting as black or purple spots on leaves and often accompanied by yellowing. It weakens the plant over time. For mild infestations, pruning affected leaves can help, but avoid stripping the plant bare. Since black spot is fungal, fungicides are often the go-to solution, though they can harm beneficial soil fungi.
Some gardeners find success with homemade remedies like a diluted solution of bicarbonate of soda or milk mixed with water. Rose breeders have developed black spot-resistant varieties, but this resistance can diminish over time. Species roses, such as Rosa Roseraie de l’Hay, tend to be more resilient and disease-free.
Maintaining Rose Health
Good plant health is the best defence against disease. Regular watering is vital, especially during summer—established roses need watering at least weekly, while newly planted ones require more frequent irrigation. Always water at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth and avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to powdery mildew. Roses are heavy feeders, so supplementing with liquid seaweed feed or tomato fertilizer during summer will help sustain their flowering performance.
Garden Tasks for the Week
Houseplants: Most are in active growth and need regular watering and bi-weekly feeding.
Tomatoes: Feed once a week.
Cabbages: Check for butterfly eggs, often found on the underside of leaves. Remove them manually to prevent caterpillars from devouring your plants.
Fruit Bushes: Water generously during dry periods to help fruit swell. Thin out plums, pears, and apples if desired for larger fruit.
Ornamental Lemon Trees: Move them outdoors for the summer.
Seeds: Plant nasturtium seeds directly in the ground or in pots for a late summer flower display.
Salads and Vegetables: Continue successional sowing of salads. Sow cucumber, sweetcorn, squash, French, runner, and broad beans outdoors.
Potatoes: Continue earthing up. New potatoes may be ready to harvest, depending on planting time.
Pruning: Prune spring-flowering deciduous shrubs like kerria, forsythia, ribes, and weigela after flowering if they are outgrowing their space.
Plant of the Week: Campanula Medium
Also known as Canterbury bells due to their bell-shaped flowers, this biennial has been cultivated in the UK since the 16th century. It features graceful, charming blooms in blue, pink, or white. To propagate, sow seeds this month or in July and plant out in autumn or the following spring. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
June is a perfect time to enjoy roses in full bloom. If possible, visit a local park or garden to appreciate these timeless, fragrant flowers at their peak.
