UK plant library · shrub

Rose

Rosa (garden hybrids) · Rosaceae

Classic British garden shrub and climber, flowers all summer with many repeat-flowering into autumn

Photo: Agnes Monkelbaan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sun: Full sun (some cope with light shade)
Soil: Rich, moist but well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acid to neutral, about pH 5.5-7.0
Water: Water well during establishment and dry spells
Hardiness: Mostly fully hardy (hardiness varies by type)
Height and spread: Varies greatly: from 45cm patio roses to ramblers of 6m or more

Guv's tipPrune most roses in late winter or early spring, but ramblers in summer straight after flowering. And keep deadheading the repeat-flowerers, there's a good lad.

Through the year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow or plant

In flower

Prune

Timings are for the UK as a whole. Northern and exposed gardens often run a couple of weeks later.

When to plant

Bare-root roses from Oct/Nov to Mar, autumn is best. Container-grown roses any time

Flowering

Flowers in summer, many repeat-flowering into autumn

Pruning

Prune most types in late winter or early spring, and ramblers in summer straight after flowering. Deadhead repeat-flowerers

Making more plants

Softwood cuttings in early to mid spring; hardwood cuttings mid-autumn to late winter; budding by nurseries

Watch out for

Pest

Aphids

Look for: Colonies of small green/black insects on shoot tips, sticky honeydew, distorted leaves

What to do: Squash or wash off, encourage ladybirds and other predators; insecticidal soap if severe

Disease

Rose black spot

Diplocarpon rosae

Look for: Black blotches on leaves, early leaf fall

What to do: Resistant cultivars, clear fallen leaves, fungicide if needed

Disease

Powdery mildew

Various (Erysiphales)

Look for: White powdery coating on leaves

What to do: Water in dry spells, mulch, improve air flow, resistant cultivars

Always read and follow the label on any treatment, and check it is approved for use where you live.

Safety and spread

Pets and people: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, according to the ASPCA. Thorns can injure

Weed risk: Garden hybrids: none known. Note that Rosa rugosa (Japanese rose) is a listed invasive plant: it is an offence to plant it or cause it to grow in the wild in England and Wales

Checked against two or more reputable gardening sources. How we check our facts

Growing somewhere else? See this plant for the USA and Australia.

Keep it by the back door

The Plant Doctor and the Guv's book

Printable pest and disease charts with real photographs, and all 50 UK plants in one book.

Buy in the shop See all the guides