Monty Don has urged gardeners to complete one daily task to ensure roses bloom beautifully and thrive this summer. The gardening expert, best known as lead presenter on BBC's Gardeners' World, emphasises that deadheading roses every day is the secret to prolonging their flowering period.
Why Daily Deadheading Matters
Deadheading is the process of removing withered or faded flowers from rose bushes. According to Monty Don, simply pulling off spent petals is not enough. He advises using secateurs to cut the spent stem right back to the next leaf or bud below it, regardless of how far down that is. This method provokes a side-shoot, which in turn will carry more flowers.
In a blog entry, Monty described June as “their time” for roses, noting that “June sees roses blooming in every conceivable way and the borders filled with flowers - many of which are very early this year.” He added, “It is as though summer overrides the weather. Even the rainy, grey days are beautiful. The British garden – and countryside - is at its very best and I adore every second of it.”
Exceptions for Hip-Producing Roses
Monty also highlighted an exception: some roses, especially species such as Rosa rugosa or Rosa moysii, develop glorious hips in autumn. These hips only form if the flowers are allowed to set seed and fruit. For such roses, he recommends enjoying the flowers as long as they last and not deadheading, so they can develop into fruit.
Monty Don's Gardening Legacy
Monty Don began his television career in 1989 with a regular gardening segment on This Morning. He has written more than 25 books since his first was published in 1990. In 2003, at Alan Titchmarsh's suggestion, he took over as lead presenter on Gardeners' World. He has also written and produced several of his own garden series, including 2026's Monty Don's Rhineland Gardens.
According to Monty, “The secret of keeping any rose flowering as long as possible is to deadhead daily.” This simple yet specific technique can help gardeners achieve the most beautiful blooms throughout the summer and beyond.
