Rose
Rosa
An ornamental plant, planted at any time of year.
In September: prune a rambling rose. It can be planted now. Wear gloves to handle thorny roses.
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Rose, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant a pot-grown rose. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual |
| Plant a bare-root rose. | none | none | usual | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Prune a climbing rose. | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Prune a bush or shrub rose. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Mulch the rose. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Prune a rambling rose. | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Wear gloves to handle thorny roses.
Strong source: RHS.
Planting
Plant a pot-grown rose at any time of year, 60cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant a bare-root rose February to March, and November, 60cm apart. Not in midwinter, when the ground is frozen. Strong source: RHS.
Prune a climbing rose
Cut each flowered side shoot back by two thirds of its length.
Usually December to February. Strong source: RHS.
Prune a bush or shrub rose
Cut out dead, diseased, rubbing and crossing stems, and some old shoots if the centre is crowded.
Usually February to March. Moderate source: RHS.
Mulch the rose
Spread well-rotted manure or garden compost, leaving 10cm clear around the stems.
Usually March to May. Strong source: RHS.
Prune a rambling rose
Once the supports are covered, cut out one in three of the oldest stems completely.
Usually August to September. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Rose” comes from.