Gardening expert Monty Don is back with fresh advice on pruning rambling roses. If you have these beautiful plants in your garden, now is the perfect time to act.
While some varieties require ongoing deadheading, rambling roses have completed their blooming for the season and won’t produce more flowers this year.
Monty emphasizes the urgency of his latest tips, aimed at preserving the future beauty of your roses, which you can explore in more detail on his blog.
Maximize Blooms from Rambling Roses with Monty's Tips
Monty’s specific guidance for rambling roses varies based on the desired growth style, whether you prefer a loose or tightly trained appearance. He shares how to identify a rambling rose, just in case you’re unsure.
“Ramblers are typically vigorous, featuring clusters of small flowers that don’t re-bloom once they’ve finished,” Monty explains. His expert advice continues from there.
“Many ramblers thrive when grown into a tree shape, meaning they can be left unpruned except for any untidy growth. However, if you’re working with limited space or training the rose, this year’s new shoots should be either tied in or trimmed back as needed.
“Cut away any damaged or old shoots, removing them all the way to the ground,” he advises, which is a more intensive approach than just deadheading.
If you plan to train your rambling roses on a vertical structure, Monty has additional recommendations. He suggests wrapping the stems in a spiral to encourage future growth. “The more horizontal the stems are, the more blooms you'll see next year,” he states.
To finish the process, Monty advises securing any loose growth before applying mulch, which helps suppress weeds and retain moisture—essential for abundant blooms in the coming season.
Your garden's future is looking bright, and with Monty’s techniques, you can expect a bounty of fragrant petals.
