Expert gardener's quick guide to ensure gorgeous roses this autumn

As the weather cools, gardeners might consider retreating indoors, but spending a mere 15 minutes to prune roses during autumn can significantly benefit them in the oncoming chilly spell.

Gary, who's a whiz with plants and the brain behind Gardener Gary, advises that roses don't require heavy cutting back in autumn , yet a light pruning at this time can safeguard them against wind damage and plummeting temperatures - if you just follow some simple steps .

He explained: "While many gardeners traditionally prune their roses in late winter or early spring, it is possible to tidy them up in autumn, especially if you want a neat framework in place for next year and it will send an indicator to the plant to enter hibernation mode over winter."

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Furthermore, he suggested: "They can be trimmed back so the longer stems aren't damaged by wind rock. It also gives you a chance to get the bushes into a good shape, by cutting away straggly growth."

A key reason for autumn rose trimming is to boost airflow around the bushes, preventing moisture accumulation crucial as damp conditions can exacerbate fungal ailments like black spot, notoriously rampant at this time of year.

Pruning your roses when autumn leaves fall is a breeze; all you need are sharp shears, gloves to fend off pesky thorns, and disinfectant wipes for cleaning the shears between snips.

To start, trim any overgrown stems risking wind damage, but always remember not to cut more than one-third of the sane.

Gary explained: "Trials have shown that you'll get just as good a show of shrub roses whether you cut off the top of the bush using a hedge trimmer or prune in the traditional way, removing individual stems."

"However, if you are using a hedge trimmer, make sure you remove dead or diseased branches within that framework afterwards to keep the air circulating and the framework open."

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He also advised on the correct technique for cutting dead or diseased branches, emphasising the importance of a 45-degree angle above an outward-facing bud to prevent water accumulation and disease.

Moreover, Gary highlighted the necessity of cleaning shears between cuts to prevent disease spread.

When it comes to autumn roses, he noted that pruning should be straightforward, involving only the removal of dead flowers, cautioning against cutting any that are still blooming.

Gary added: "Remove damaged and diseased leaves and faded flowers, but don't deadhead roses which are going to produce hips, which add both colour and form to the winter garden."

"For those growing tall, un-staked roses in windy areas, he recommends cutting back shoots by a quarter to a third to prevent wind rock from loosening the roots."

Finally, Gary reminded gardeners to clear away all pruned debris to avoid diseases and pests.

Pruning roses in the autumn usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. However, if you're dealing with a large plant or one that's been neglected for a while, it could take up to an hour.

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