Gardening expert Monty Don has urged gardeners to perform one daily chore to guarantee roses bloom beautifully and flourish this summer. The task is deadheading, but with a specific technique.
Monty Don's Daily Deadheading Advice
In a blog post, Don explained that June is 'their time' for roses, saying: 'So June sees roses blooming in every conceivable way and the borders filled with flowers - many of which are very early this year.' He added: 'The secret of keeping any rose flowering as long as possible is to deadhead daily.'
Don emphasised the correct method: 'Do not just pull off the spent petals but use secateurs and cut the spent stem right back to the next leaf or bud below it - however far down that is. This will provoke a side-shoot which in turn will carry more flowers.'
Exception for Species Roses
However, Don noted an exception: 'Some roses, especially the species such as rosa rugosa or rosa moysii, have glorious hips in autumn and these will only develop if the flowers are allowed to set seed and fruit, so enjoy the flowers as long as they last and do not dead head so that they can develop into fruit.'
Monty Don's Background
Monty Don launched his television career in 1989, appearing regularly on This Morning's gardening slot. He has written more than 25 books since his debut in 1990 and became the main presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World in 2003, following Alan Titchmarsh's recommendation. He also created and presented Monty Don's Rhineland Gardens in 2026.
