Monty Don's Daily Rose Care Secret
Gardening expert Monty Don has revealed a simple daily task that can transform ordinary roses into spectacular summer blooms. The key, he says, is deadheading—but with a specific technique using secateurs.
In a blog post, Don emphasized that June is the time when roses truly shine. He wrote: "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 that even rainy, grey days are beautiful, declaring: "The British garden - and countryside - is at its very best and I adore every second of it."
How to Deadhead Roses Correctly
Don advises gardeners to deadhead daily, but not simply by pulling off spent petals. Instead, he recommends using secateurs to cut the spent stem back to the next leaf or bud below it, no matter how far down that is. This method provokes a side-shoot that will carry more flowers, extending the blooming period.
However, he notes an exception: some rose species, such as Rosa rugosa or Rosa moysii, produce attractive hips in autumn. For these, Don suggests enjoying the flowers and avoiding deadheading so they can develop into fruit.
Monty Don's Gardening Legacy
Monty Don is a renowned horticulturist, broadcaster, and author. He made his television debut in 1989 on This Morning and has since become the main presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World, a position he took over in 2003 following Alan Titchmarsh's recommendation. He has written over 25 books and produced his own gardening programs, including the 2026 series Monty Don's Rhineland Gardens.
