Blue Sunday is back!

Write this date on your diary: Sunday 19th November

That's when we are having our annual Blue Sunday, with all roses - bare root and potted - on sale

20% Off - for one day only!

ONLY  ONLINE  THROUGH  OUR  WEBSITE

The discount will be automatically applied to your order at the checkout.

If you are local and can collect your roses, please select 'Collect from Nursery' option on the checkout page.

Potted roses can be collected from Monday 20th November.  Bare roots will not be ready until winter 2024.

(Please note:  this offer is for Sunday 19th November only - no discount will be applied prior or after this date)

Beware Black Spot

Black Spot is one of the diseases to look out for as we head into summer and roses can be particularly susceptible during times of stress when the health of the plant declines. 

It’s a soil borne fungus present at all times, that attacks leaves causing dark blotches and yellowing.

The affected leaves drop and eventually the rose bush will defoliate.

Prevention

Like any disease prevention is better than cure and it’s important to build up the health of the plant so that they are in a stronger state to fight the disease. A regular application of sulphate of potash - about 100 to 150 grams per bush about four times a year – will go a long way in thickening up the cell walls of the leaf for a healthier plant. 

You could also apply a generous feed of an organic based rose fertiliser every six to eight weeks throughout the growing season. And given the wet conditions the roses have lived through over the past few months, nitrogen in the soil may be severely depleted - it would be a good idea to add a nitrogen-based fertiliser to top it up.

Please note: The best prevention is to purchase roses that are disease resistant.  Many modern roses are bred to have excellent health.

Treatment

While there are many sprays on the market to treat Black Spot - generally copper or sulphur based sprays are best - an alternative natural spray for Blackspot can also be made. 

Try using two teaspoons of bicarb soda in five litres of water, and then add a couple of drops of detergent or seaweed extract and apply using a handheld sprayer. It makes an excellent and inexpensive fungicide.