What Your Roses Really Need in April – Pros Share 5 Insider Tips for Bigger Blooms in Summer
Discover the key rose care tasks you need to do this month
An unfurling rose is one of nature’s seasonal joys. Signifying the arrival of summer, these beautiful blooms enchant us with their silken petals and heavenly perfume. They are, however, hungry plants, and by knowing what roses need in April, you can bolster their performance for this season and beyond.
Often regarded as tricky plants with complex needs, roses can be intimidating to many new to gardening, but with a little rose care and growing know-how, plus the right timing, they can prove hugely rewarding and a delight for weeks on end.
With so many plant forms to choose from, from stately shrub roses to cascading ramblers, you can bring your yard alive with a mass of floral color and fragrance. The drama doesn’t stop there either, as roses go on to produce vibrant hips in fall that will nourish wildlife and continue adding interest well into winter.
Article continues below1. Finish Pruning
Knowing how to prune roses is key to promoting healthy growth and good-looking plants, but getting the timing right is all-important. Snipping the stems of shrub and climbing roses too late in spring is one of the most common rose pruning mistakes. Reducing the plant's flowering potential and even shortening its life - it can be a costly issue.
Except for rambling roses, pruning is best done while the plant is dormant, but frosts have passed.
'Toward the end of winter or early spring is when you will safely be able to begin pruning your roses in most parts of the country,' says rose expert Stephanie Waltz. 'In the warmer zones, it can be safe to do a harder prune year-round. Here in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country, when the Forsythia begins to bloom, it is a good time to prune your roses.'
How much you prune will depend on the type of rose, the size you want it to get by the end of the season, and how much shaping you want to do.
'Begin by removing any dead, damaged, weak, or crossing canes that may cause rubbing damage,' explains Stephanie. 'Shrub and groundcover roses, like Knock Out® and Drift® roses, can be cut back quite hard to 12-18” and 6-10” respectively to keep them at a compact size. Floribundas, Grandifloras, and Hybrid Teas can be cut back by as much as 2/3 of their size or down to about 18-24”.'
Choosing the right tools for the task is the secret to success. Clean and sharp loppers for thick branches or hand pruning shears, such as these from Lowe's, ensure any cuts are neat, reducing the risk of disease setting in.
Stephanie brings her great love of plants and gardening to the Rose Trial Coordinator position at Star® Roses and Plants headquarters in Pennsylvania. She helps to organize and implement the many moving pieces that make the various field and container trials successful. She loves talking about plants and being part of the process that brings exceptional roses to market.
2. Tie In Climbing Roses
April is the perfect time to tie in climbing roses. An important task for many reasons, not only can you direct new growth into an aesthetically pleasing shape, and cover any supporting wall, arch, or obelisk evenly, but by angling branches horizontally, you encourage more side shoots and flower buds to form.
Tackle this rose care task once the frosts have passed, and, for wall-climbing roses, stay ahead of future growth by installing a series of parallel straining wires. These create a rigid horizontal framework on which to tie the branches.
While natural twine can be used, we've found that soft wire plant ties from Amazon survive longer.
3. Feed For Healthy Growth and Flowers
This month is the best time to feed roses. As it's the start of the growing season, these plants are hungry and keen to send out new growth and form flower buds, so it makes sense to provide them with the nutrients they need.
It is possible to make your own rose fertilizer, but most gardeners opt to add a granular feed around the base of the plant.
Plant expert Katie Sunderlage suggests, 'When new growth starts to emerge, apply an all-purpose fertilizer, 10-10-10 works well. This helps new growth to emerge strong and healthy.'
We like the look of Greenview Multi-Purpose Fertilizer from Lowe's.
Operations Manager at Holland Group, managing the customer service department and purchasing. Katie has been in the green industry since 2005 in the Greater Milwaukee area, earning her degree in Horticulture in 2008. She has been able to share her love for plants working in multiple garden centers, in sales positions and most recently in an online retail platform at Holland Group.
4. Add Mulch to Retain Moisture
Once you have fed your roses, it makes sense to spread a layer of mulch around the base of the plant. A simple task, that only takes minutes, it has many benefits for both you and the plant.
A layer of mulch not only supresses weeds but also retains moisture and helps insulate roots from freezing. While there are lots of different options from gravel to pine needles and cedar bark chippings - all available from Amazon - manure is perhaps the most popular.
'The most important thing is to ensure that it is well-rotted (generally when you can no longer smell it),' says rose expert Liam Beddall. If it's not, it may burn and scorch plants and deplete nitrogen from the soil as it continues to break down.
Discover the best mulch for roses including those that also offer natural pest control methods.
Liam is Head Rosarian at David Austin®, and provides expert guidance to garden designers, landscapers, and horticultural professionals on incorporating roses into private and public gardens. With an RHS Level 2 qualification and a passion for companion planting, he combines technical knowledge and design expertise to promote biodiversity and thriving garden schemes.
5. Keep a Close Watch for Aphids
The start of the growing season is prime time for aphids to take hold of sappy new plant growth. This includes juicy rose buds and fresh foliage, which can all be reduced in days, destroying future blooms and hampering plant health.
Knowing how to get rid of aphids and how to attract ladybugs to your yard is a planet-friendly and effective solution.
'If you happen to spot aphids on your roses, there’s no need to worry! There are several simple and natural ways to manage them,' suggests Liam. 'You can gently brush them off, carefully squash them with your fingers, or give your plants a gentle rinse with water from your hose to wash them away.
'You can also mix a weak solution of mild dish soap and water, and use the solution to gently spray your roses. This will dislodge the aphids without harming the plant.'
What to Shop:
This book by Gracielinda Poulson, a preeminent rose grower and proprietor of Grace Rose Farm, teaches all you need for growing, cutting, and arranging roses.
This concentrated liquid fertilizer is specially formulated for roses. Mix it with water and apply to your roses weekly to extend the flowering display.
This product is mixed with water and sprayed onto roses and other shrubs to control black spot, powdery mildew, and more.
If you love having roses in your yard, the chances are that you prefer planting on the softer side. Discover how to design a romantic garden to realize your dreamy style preferences, or for a more relaxed and down-to-earth option, check out these cottage garden ideas.
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