Alan Titchmarsh has shared his top tips for ensuring roses bloom beautifully all summer long. The gardening guru regularly offers guidance via television and social media, including a TikTok video where he disclosed his foolproof method for distinguishing between dead stems and old stems.
Distinguishing Dead from Old Stems
He said: “Dead has no living wood on it at all - a lot of these older stems have got green young ones coming out the top.” If you examine the bark of shrub roses and find green showing, it means the plant is still alive; only brown stems indicate death.
Pruning Techniques for Shrub Roses
Pruning carefully and consistently is key. The gardener warned: “You do not cut right down to knee high, which is what you do with bush roses.” For shrub roses, he added: “You tip them back and thin the framework out, which is what I’m doing now.” Removing old stems rejuvenates the plant and encourages growth. Heavier pruning is best from February to March after frost subsides.
Titchmarsh “created a well spaced branch framework” to allow regular “flow of air so mildew and black spot will be less likely.”
Soil Preparation and Nutrients
In another video, Titchmarsh said: “Roses are hungry, hardworking plants that can flower for months throughout the summer, but they need the right conditions to perform at their best. To produce all those blooms, they require plenty of moisture and a constant supply of nutrients at their roots.”
The expert explained the “key is to improve your soil with generous amounts of organic matter”, be it “homemade garden compost, well-rotted organic material, or specialist rose, tree, and shrub compost.” He added: “The richer the soil, the better it can hold onto moisture and nutrients, creating the perfect environment for healthy growth and abundant flowers. Roses have traditionally thrived in heavy clay soils because they retain moisture so well, while light sandy soils can dry out quickly, often leading to problems such as mildew and black spot.”
Titchmarsh concluded: “Be generous when improving the soil, and your roses will reward you with stronger growth, healthier plants, and a spectacular display of flowers throughout the season.”
