In temperate climate, July is the peak month for roses. The flowers are in full bloom, their fragrance fills the garden, and the bushes seem to explode with color. However, if you want this beauty to last until late autumn, you need to apply a simple but essential treatment.
The secret lies in redirecting the plant’s energy from producing seeds to flowering. Every time a flower fades, the plant tries to form seeds. This process uses up a lot of energy, which could otherwise be used to produce new rose buds. The solution? Strategic pruning.
As soon as you notice a wilted flower, cut it back with well-sharpened garden shears down to the first five-leaflet. This is a key growth point on the stem, from where the plant can produce new branches and, implicitly, more flower buds.
Why this method works
By cutting off the spent flower to the five-leaflet you stop the formation of seeds, which slows down flowering, you stimulate the formation of new shoots, which will in turn produce flowers, and you practically triple the number of flowers.
In addition to the aesthetic appearance, cutting off wilted flowers prevents the appearance of fungal diseases and keeps the plant growing in a balanced shape. In other words, removing spent flowers is not just about beauty, but also about the health of the entire rose.
July is the perfect time to start this simple practice. With just a few minutes a week, your roses will bloom abundantly until the first frosts, and your garden will become a spectacle of color and fragrance all summer and well into autumn.