ITS A GOOD TIME TO PRUNE YOUR ROSES

Re the blackspot, it hasn't been too bad at all for me since the spring, but last autumn was worse for me and I didn't prune off all affected leaves and lost quite a few rose plants (shrub roses). I should have asked about blackspot during 2022/23 season, but appreciate that is some time ago! I was surprised at lack of blackspot this summer because of all the rain, but I have been snipping off any dodgy looking leaves more often through the summer than I used to do.

 

Hello @Meomye and @wiseowl - Apologies - I inadvertently replied to @Meomye, thinking it was addressed to me.

 

Mixed levels of black spot on my roses this year and no apparent rhyme or reason as to variety, aspect etc.

For pruning, I try and observe the rule of the 3 Ds and remove dead, diseased or damaged wood in late winter but also when I'm dead heading my roses or tying in climbers and ramblers. It was so wet last winter and spring that I didn't do my usual pruning and have noticed a difference in flower power as well as some stems going bare after flowering so this year they'll get a good prune whatever the weather and a generous feed too - well rotted manure and some BFandB for good measure.

My main rose beds need an overhaul as the dwarf Michaelmas daisies I planted turned out to be either mutants or mis-labelled and need replacing with shorter plants. They're in flower at the mo so that'll have to wait a bit but I'll take the opportunity to improve the soil before re-planting and mulching.