Tips from the team: A quick guide to pruning roses

Roses are among the most rewarding plants in our gardens, and a little pruning at the right time keeps them healthy, shapely and full of flowers. The good news is that there's no need to be nervous about it. Roses are forgiving, and a confident cut is better than a timid one. Now’s the time!

The main prune: late winter

For hybrid teas and floribundas, the main prune is in February or March, just as the buds begin to swell. Climbers can be pruned and tied in any time from late autumn to winter. Ramblers are the exception: prune them straight after they flower in summer.

How to make a good cut

• Use sharp, clean secateurs, and wear good gloves

• Start by removing anything dead, diseased or damaged

• Take out stems that cross or rub, to keep the centre open

• Cut about 5mm above an outward-facing bud, sloping away from it

• In spring, feed and mulch around the base after pruning

If you'd like to see it done, bring your questions to one of our talks. There's always someone happy to share what's worked in their own garden.