Brian shares his pointers for pruning

The heavy rains we've had in the last few weeks is not stopping us, and we are now digging bare root plants in the old fashioned way...

It's good weather for ducks!

We've had one of the wettest Junes on record which has presented quite a few challenges in the Nursery. The excess water in the channels between the rose beds has created boggy ground, and proved too difficult to run a tractor and a cutting machine through. Fortunately we have some resilient farm hands who have taken it all in their stride, as we've now reverted to cutting the roots of each plant using the traditional shovel - a more time consuming approach which is also incredibly muddy! Catch up on the story which aired on our local ABC South East radio.

We've passed the Winter Solstice - marked by the shortest day of the year - meaning its ideal pruning time. Read on for some tips and visual reminders from Brian.

Follow us on our Social Media to know what's happening at the nursery and remember there's still time to order your bareroot roses.

(Images below: Digging roses by spade thanks to the boggy conditions in the Nursery, and water lying between the rose beds.)

Bare Root Roses Collection

Brian's pointers for pruning

Anytime from late June is a good time for pruning. Many people don't know where to start and can get caught up on the process, but the reality is you can't really go wrong.

Pruning roses helps to reduce disease, encourages air circulation and lets more light in. It keeps the rose healthy, encouraging new growth and producing beautiful blooms for next season.

Brian follows these simple steps:
• Cut out dead wood and also old wood. It’s young wood that produces flowers

• Remove any remaining foliage or weak and spindly wood

• Cut out any crossing canes that grow horizontally across the plant

• Cut back all stems to knee-height (this can of course vary according to the size of the plant)

Another rule of thumb is to cut the rose back to a third of its growth

• Shape to size

• Dispose of any discarded stems and leaves to avoid potential disease.

For more on how to prune a bush rose head to Brian's video below. Keen to know how to prune a standardrose? Learn how.

How to prune a bush rose

Have you considered a border rose?

Roses are a great way to define garden beds and create borders.

Our Drift® rose collection is one of the most ideal varieties for borders, with their vigorous and continuous flowering and compact nature.

They are great for potting, borders, landscaped beds or ground-cover, as they grow much wider than they do high and can look highly effective when planted over large areas.

Check out our most popular Drift® colours of yellow, red and pink - start planning a border today!

Drift® rose collection

David Austin 'Last Chance' Collections

Last month we highlighted some of David Austin's roses that will be 'retired' from their range. This is a perfect chance to add to your collection of David Austin's at never to be repeated special prices.

Be quick to secure the last of these selections (prices reflect stated selections only).

Red 'David Austin' Collection - Normally $103, Now $78

The Dark Lady

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Williams Shakespeare

LD Braithwaite

Pink 'David Austin' Collection - Normally $77.25, Now $58

Lilian Austin

Radio Times

Sharifa Asma

Yellow Modern Roses Collection - Normally $102, Now $78

Dune Climbing

Floriana

Golden Eye

Sundance

Also from our Last Chance Collection we are offering a 20% discount on five or more plants of the variety Bordure Magenta, Delbard French rose.

Bordure Magenta is a beautiful low growing flowering bush ideal for hedging, with stunning magenta-pink, semi-double blooms borne in clusters which make an eye-catching clash of colour when mass planted. A repeat flowering rose requiring little maintenance.

Of course, there's loads more 'Last Chance' roses to choose from - head to the page on our website.

Some of our favourites

We have many favourite roses to suggest and - whilst some of them are sold out - there are still beautiful roses available from across our range including Climbers, Bush, Standard and miniatures.

Pre-order today for delivery from mid-July to late August.